Worst Behaved Tourists in 2023: The Uncensored Truth
2023 started off rough for both the environment and cultural heritage, with tourists causing destruction and disrespect. Here are just a few of the worst incidents caught on camera.
January
Italy's tourists have a well-known reputation for misbehavior, and 2023 was no exception. At the beginning of the year, an American tourist drove across the Ponte Vecchio pedestrian bridge in Florence, Italy's most famous bridge, and was fined 500 euros.
February
February saw some of the worst offenses yet. In China, a Chinese internet celebrity was caught on camera cooking and eating a white shark, an endangered species in China, worth 125,000 yuan (approximately 18,000 USD).
March
In March, a Russian tourist decided to strip down and take provocative photos at a holy site in Bali, causing public outrage. Yuri Chilikin was later charged with indecent behavior and fined.
April
April brought new lows as an American couple was caught stealing wine worth over 1.7 million USD from a Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain. The couple was ultimately caught and jailed for their crimes.
May
May saw more incidents of disrespect and destruction. A British tourist tried to intervene with a newborn bison in Yellowstone National Park, causing the herd to reject the calf, which had to be euthanized.
June
In June, a British group of "young adult males" in the Lake District, England, decided to enhance their nature experience with some magic mushrooms. They were soon found disorientated and in need of rescue.
July
By July, the северо-восточные провинции Шаньси и Хэйлунцзян в Китае (Northeastern provinces of Shanxi and Heilongjiang in China) had practically closed down to tourists due to inconsiderate and destructive behavior.
August
In August, a British tourist tried to film himself crash-landing a plane in California for his YouTube channel, only to be caught and charged with reckless endangerment.
September
In a bizarre turn of events, a British tourist was banned from entering the Philippines forever after writing obscene phrases on their immigration form. The tourist had argued that he was just having fun, but the authorities saw it differently.
October
In October, two tourists in Israel were caught damaging Roman sculptures, claiming they believed it to be idol worship. Their actions caused significant damage, estimated to be over 10,000 USD.
November
In November, a Canadian airline was called out for leaving passengers sitting in a wet and dirty seating area on a flight from Las Vegas to Montreal. The airline later apologized for the incident.
December
As the year drew to a close, new restrictions were put in place to handle the influx of tourists in popular destinations. Paris, for example, imposed a nightly curfew on tourists in certain areas to prevent disorderly behavior.
Tourist misbehavior continues to be a problem in many parts of the world. As we move into 2024, it's important that travelers remember to be respectful of local cultures, environments, and laws.
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Enrichment Data:
- Tourists have been destroying cultural heritage sites throughout Europe, with examples including graffiti on the Vasari Corridor in Florence, Italy, and damage to the Colosseum.
- In Seville, Spain, tourists have been damaging the famous Plaza de España, with benches and plants being broken and graffiti being spray-painted.
- In Barcelona, Spain, tourists have been urinating and defecating in the streets, leading to increased cleaning costs for the city.
- In France, tourists have been causing disruptions at popular sites like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum, with crowded streets and long lines.
- In Iceland, tourists have been damaging the environment, with cases of littering, off-roading, and leaving trash in popular hiking areas.
These incidents highlight the need for tourists to be responsible and respectful when traveling, both to preserve the environment and cultural heritage, and to ensure a positive experience for all travelers.
