traps

More than a fifth of holidaymakers have fallen into tourist traps while abroad

More than a fifth of holidaymakers have fallen into tourist traps while holidaying abroad, with victims losing an average of £200.

A survey of 2,000 adults who have been on holiday abroad found a further 27 per cent have knowingly been ripped off or overcharged while on holiday.

The most common include overpriced food and drinks sold at tourist hotspots, taxi rides, hidden fees when using card machines, being charged more than locals at restaurants, and fake tour guides.

As a result, 49 per cent are now more cautious when spending money or booking activities abroad compared to five years ago.

The research was commissioned by the eSIM platform Airalo, which offers mobile data coverage in more than 200 destinations around the world.

Matteo Papa, growth director (Europe & CIS), said: “Falling victim to a tourist trap can put a dampener on, and in some cases a financial strain on, a dream holiday.

“While some traps can seem harmless at first, the costs can quickly add up and leave travellers feeling frustrated or out of pocket.

“Doing a little research before you travel, checking reviews, and staying connected while you’re on the go can help holidaymakers make more informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

“Being aware of the most common rip-off tactics in your destination can go a long way towards helping you enjoy a smoother, more stress-free trip.”

The study also found having reliable internet access makes 69 per cent feel safer when travelling abroad, with 21 per cent typically ‘always’ connected to the internet or mobile data when on holiday.

Almost half (46 per cent) said without internet access they wouldn’t be able to contact friends or family, while others would be unable to navigate unfamiliar areas (40 per cent), and or access tickets and bookings (29 per cent).

When it came to the top things holidaymakers worry about when going abroad, having a medical emergency or accident was at the top of the list.

However, missing flights (47 per cent), losing luggage (45 per cent), and food poisoning (38 per cent) also ranked highly.

It also emerged 52 per cent believe rip-offs in popular overseas holiday destinations are getting worse each year.

But to prevent being ripped off while on holiday, 50 per cent have avoided carrying large amounts of cash, while 37 per cent have only used licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps.

And 39 per cent believe younger generations are just as likely as older ones to be tricked into spending more money while on holiday abroad.

Of those who took part in the study, via OnePoll.com, 65 per cent now think they would be confident in spotting a tourist trap before falling victim to it.

Airalo launched an activation in London, creating a ‘Tourist Trap’ featuring overpriced croissants with the price tag of €15 to warn passers-by of the bait faced on holiday.

To help holidaymakers dodge additional costs this summer, the brand is offering new users 20 per cent off sitewide data plans with the code ‘CROISSANT’, ensuring travellers stay connected and protected.

A spokesperson for the brand added: “Even seasoned travellers can be caught out when they’re unfamiliar with local customs, prices, or payment methods.

“Taking a few simple precautions before and during your trip can make a real difference, helping you feel more confident when making purchases or booking experiences.

“Ultimately, being prepared means you can spend less time worrying about unexpected costs and more time enjoying everything your destination has to offer.”

TOURIST TRAPS HOLIDAYMAKERS HAVE EXPERIENCED ABROAD:

1. Food, drinks, and merchandise sold at inflated prices because of a location’s captive audience
2. Overpriced taxi rides or taxi drivers taking deliberately longer routes to increase the fare
3. Hidden charges while eating out (e.g. paying for ‘complimentary bread’ left on the table)
4. Expensive local souvenirs which turn out to be cheaply mass-produced
5. Being charged more than a local would be in a restaurant
6. Card machines or ATMs secretly applying large hidden conversion fees
7. ‘Free’ gifts or bracelets which later require payment
8. Tour guide rip-offs (i.e. paying a premium for a low-quality tour)
9. Tourist photo scams (e.g. being charged unexpectedly for photos)
10. Paying for unsolicited ‘help’ with luggage at airports or train stations

A new survey has found the most common holiday scams abroad that UK tourists have fallen for – and the average amount they’ve been ripped off for is £200

More than a fifth of holidaymakers have fallen victim to tourist traps while travelling abroad, losing an average of £200. Over half (52%) believe popular overseas holiday destinations are getting worse year on year when it comes to fleecing visitors.

The survey of 2,000 holidaymakers revealed that 27% have knowingly been ripped off or overcharged while on holiday. The most widespread scams include overpriced food and drinks at tourist hotspots, taxi rides, hidden fees when paying by card, being charged more than locals at restaurants, and bogus tour guides.

The research was commissioned by eSIM platform Airalo, which provides mobile data coverage across more than 200 destinations worldwide.

Matteo Papa, growth director (Europe & CIS), said: “Falling victim to a tourist trap can put a dampener on, and in some cases a financial strain on, a dream holiday.

“While some traps can seem harmless at first, the costs can quickly add up and leave travellers feeling frustrated or out of pocket.”

“Doing a little research before you travel, checking reviews, and staying connected while you’re on the go can help holidaymakers make more informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

“Being aware of the most common rip-off tactics in your destination can go a long way towards helping you enjoy a smoother, more stress-free trip.”

The research revealed that having dependable internet access makes 69% feel safer when travelling overseas, with 21% typically ‘always’ connected to the internet or mobile data while on holiday.

For 46%, without internet access they are unable to contact friends or family, while others would be unable to navigate unfamiliar areas (40%), or access tickets and bookings (29%).

Half of holidaymakers are now more careful when spending money or booking activities abroad compared to five years ago.

To avoid being ripped off while on holiday, 50% have avoided carrying large amounts of cash, while 37% have only used licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps.

Airalo launched an activation in London, creating a ‘Tourist Trap’ featuring overpriced croissants with the price tag of €15 to alert passers-by to the pitfalls faced on holiday.

To help holidaymakers dodge extra costs this summer, the brand is offering new users 20% off sitewide data plans with the code ‘CROISSANT’, ensuring travellers stay connected and protected.

A spokesperson for the brand added: “Even seasoned travellers can be caught out when they’re unfamiliar with local customs, prices, or payment methods.

“Taking a few simple precautions before and during your trip can make a real difference, helping you feel more confident when making purchases or booking experiences.

“Ultimately, being prepared means you can spend less time worrying about unexpected costs and more time enjoying everything your destination has to offer.”

TOURIST TRAPS HOLIDAYMAKERS HAVE EXPERIENCED ABROAD:

1. Food, drinks, and merchandise sold at inflated prices because of a location’s captive audience
2. Overpriced taxi rides or taxi drivers taking deliberately longer routes to increase the fare
3. Hidden charges while eating out (e.g. paying for ‘complimentary bread’ left on the table)
4. Expensive local souvenirs which turn out to be cheaply mass-produced
5. Being charged more than a local would be in a restaurant
6. Card machines or ATMs secretly applying large hidden conversion fees
7. ‘Free’ gifts or bracelets which later require payment
8. Tour guide rip-offs (i.e. paying a premium for a low-quality tour)
9. Tourist photo scams (e.g. being charged unexpectedly for photos)
10. Paying for unsolicited ‘help’ with luggage at airports or train stations

Ruben Chorlton-Owen says lots of people are being caught out and paying a heavy price for it

A British traveller is warning anyone heading to Tenerife this half-term to watch out for several “tourist traps” that ensnare visitors every year. Ruben Chorlton-Owen frequently posts his travel advice and tips with his 105,000 followers on Instagram (@rube).

The 24-year-old, from Abersoch, North Wales, has recently been to the popular Canary Island destination. However, while there, he noticed a few things that raised concerns. And now, he is alerting people to several common “tourist traps” that catch holidaymakers out annually, as detailed in a video amassing more than 8,000 views.

If you find yourself requiring a pharmacy, watch out for “fake” establishments selling the same product at inflated prices. He said: “They’re real shops, but they have the same LED signage (as a pharmacy) but in blue colour (rather than green).

“So it’s not entirely illegal and many tourists fall for it. People later find out the product hasn’t worked as it’s not an actual medical product.

“It’s important to find a proper ‘farmacia’ that sells actual drugs to help with any pains or issues. Fake ones also don’t really have a lot in there and also heavily charge way too much for things like sun cream or paracetamol. They’re just tourist shops really.” He also advised Brits to be careful about how they withdraw money once they arrive.

“Make sure you try and get your cash before you come here,” Ruben told creatorzine.com. “Because the local currency exchanges or these ATMs will charge you a high markup and you’ll be getting a very bad deal for your money.”

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While he praises the destination for being “affordable” and “friendly”, there are still risks to be mindful of. He said: “Make sure you use the licensed taxis.

“Not only are they genuine, but they’re also much more affordable than the Uber app. And you’ll also get charged four times the price that it should be.”

Ruben also issued a stark warning for anyone heading back to their accommodation late at night or after a day of drinking in the sun. He recommends giving a wide berth to any shabby-looking areas and narrow alleyways. He said: “It’s full of pickpockets.

“It can be quite dangerous, so just make sure you stay vigilant and you’re not having too much – or use the licensed taxi to get home when it’s late at night.”

And for those fancying a cold beer or cocktail on the beach, Ruben suggests thinking twice, as it could land you with a whopping fine. He said: “If you do like to drink, make sure you don’t do it down the beach. The fines are now a minimum of €750 to €3,000.

“Make sure you just stick to the bars, your hotel room, your Airbnb. Don’t be taking any glass bottles at all down the beach, it really isn’t worth the risk.”

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