Misbehaving Travelers: Why Do Some Tourists Behave Badly on Vacation?
Travel should be an opportunity to broaden our view of the world, connect with other realities, and grow as individuals. However, several studies and experts have identified a concerning phenomenon: many tourists display inappropriate behavior during their vacations. But why does this happen?
1. Disconnecting from the Usual Environment
As clinical psychologist and frequent traveler Javier Labourt explains, “many factors can influence this kind of behavior… there can be individual, contextual, or group factors.” In short: when the environment changes, social rules become more flexible, and this creates new internal pressures. (BBC)
Away from home, without the usual social support network, the brakes that guide our daily behavior weaken. That sense of anonymity or “not being recognized” encourages some people to lose inhibitions, act on immediate desires, and forget how to behave respectfully.
2. Lack of Knowledge and “Main Character Energy”
Professor Alana Dillette highlights another key factor: many tourists misbehave simply because they don’t know what is acceptable in the destination they visit. They focus on their own experience rather than the impact they create. (BBC)
Added to this is what scholar Kirsty Sedgman calls “main character energy”: when people feel away from home, they behave as if everyone else exists to serve them. This is especially visible in “air rage” incidents, where even the most basic rules of courtesy are ignored. (BBC)
3. Lack of Emotional Preparation
Labourt points to a deeper cause: traveling means crossing into another person’s emotional world, into a culture different from one’s own. If we are not ready, that emotional demand can trigger stress, discomfort, or even repressed behavior. “Connecting with a destination requires us to be in a different emotional state, and not everyone is prepared for that.” (BBC)
In environments where novelty, fatigue, or aesthetic pressure (such as the pursuit of the “perfect photo”) dominate, many stop paying attention to their surroundings and fall into egocentric or even aggressive attitudes.
4. Emotional and Financial Impact of Misbehavior
Beyond individual actions, some destructive behaviors cause irreparable harm. For example, vandalizing ancient caves or heritage sites inflicts deep pain on communities that see them as living legacies. As Brent Leggs warns, such damage not only destroys cultural heritage but “has a psychological and emotional impact, triggering generational trauma.” (BBC)
Additionally, repairing monuments or historical sites requires huge financial resources, often burdening communities already struggling with overtourism. This proves that even actions without malicious intent can have severe consequences for others and the environment.
5. Towards Conscious and Respectful Tourism
Experts agree that the solution is not only about fining or restricting tourists, but about fostering a conscious travel mindset. As Dillette states: tourism is a powerful way to unite cultures and create positive transformation, “but it must be done with respect, knowing that you are a guest in someone else’s land.” (BBC)
Conclusion
Misbehavior among tourists does not arise solely from ill will. It is often a mix of emotional disinhibition, cultural ignorance, group pressure, and lack of awareness about one’s role as a traveler. Understanding this is key to promoting tourism that benefits everyone —both visitors and host communities.
This article summarizes some of the main ideas that Javier Labourt shared in his interview with BBC Travel. You can read the full feature [here].
For more press content —interviews, articles, and talks— featuring Javier Labourt, explore the press section of his website [here].