WASHINGTON – The “ugly American” stereotype isn’t just in the eye of the foreign beholder.
According to a new Living Social survey, Americans say the country with the worst tourists is … the United States. Twenty percent of Americans polled say Americans are the world’s worst travelers, an assertion agreed to by Canadians and Australians as well.
The survey — conducted among more than 5,600 respondents in five countries by Mandala Research — also showed that four in 10 U.S. travelers have stolen something from a hotel, perhaps a contributing factor to the not-so-sterling reputation.
Commonly taken items include towels, bathrobes and pillows. Bibles also make the list.
After ourselves, Americans think the world’s second-worst tourists come from China, followed by France and Japan.
The survey’s other findings include that Americans’ preferred world wonders to visit are the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Eiffel Tower in France. Closer to home, Disney World comes in fifth, Las Vegas sixth and the Grand Canyon seventh.
And Americans’ most preferred travel companions (out of the country’s most-followed Twitter users)?
Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey.
Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
