Whilst law-breaking tourists are undoubtedly in the minority, and I am confident that no snsvs fall within their ranks, they still remain a key component in discussions about the relationship between tourism and crime. Whether these individuals fall foul of the law through the excesses of alcohol (or other substances), a lack of legal awareness before travelling, or have deliberately sought out destinations to commit illegal acts, not every traveller stops to consider how their actions may impact the places they visit.

Join me as we uncover a darker side of tourism (oooh, the suspense).

Anti-Social Behaviour:

Men dancing naked on bars in broad daylight. Names carved into ancient monuments. Litter strewn on resort beaches. Public urination. I could go on. Something about being away from home seems to bring out the very worst in some travellers, and it is the residents of the destinations they visit who suffer.

But what is it about being away from home that brings tourists’ inhibitions tumbling down?

1. Anonymity

One possible explanation for tourists shedding their inhibitions when they’re away from home is that they experience feelings of anonymity and isolation from others. As a result of this, we are increasingly seeing videos online of people shouting at airline cabin attendants, drinking alcohol to great excess, and generally making a nuisance of themselves: their behaviour exhibiting a distinct air of selfishness and entitlement.

Although this may come across as an impassioned opinion, and I won’t lie, I do find myself feeling angry, there is some research to support this theory.

A 2021 study found that whilst on their travels, tourists tend to feel less socially connected to those sharing spaces with them, and more oblivious to the judgment of others. In short, this study found that holidaymakers are more likely to feel anonymous and thus less accountable. Without the scrutiny of being surrounded by those who know them, tourists may find it easier to ignore social expectations and behave in a manner that is completely at odds with how they may act at home. 

2. Anomie 

Another factor that may influence a tourist’s behaviour is the struggle that some may face when trying to navigate unfamiliar social norms. Without having a nuanced understanding of a region’s culture, even the most well-meaning of visitors can make mistakes, but some may struggle to cope more than others. Sociologist Émile Durkheim’s theory of anomie may provide an explanation for this phenomenon. Anomie is characterised as a state of “normlessness” experienced when an individual finds themselves in a situation where the social norms aren’t rigorously enforced, and it is unclear what is expected of them. 

When experiencing anomie, a person tends to feel alienated or disorientated, and is more likely to act out. For some tourists, this discomfort may bring them to rebel and commit acts of anti-social behaviour, as they grapple with the desire to regain a sense of control and stability in an unfamiliar environment.

3. Social Media

And now we turn to the issue of social media. Whilst these platforms function as a fantastic tool for networking, education, or escapism (read as: doomscrolling and suddenly finding yourself wondering where the last hour has gone), they may be responsible, at least in part, for some of the outrageous behaviours exhibited by tourists. Sites like Instagram and TikTok have amassed repositories of images showcasing beautiful landscapes or recommendations for “must-try” eateries; however, as an unfortunate side effect, they have inspired tourists to visit places in their droves. 

Destinations across Europe have reported unprecedented numbers of tourists, many of whom are only intent on taking the perfect “Instagram-worthy” travel photos. To achieve this goal, visitors often crowd into public spaces, trample fragile ecosystems, and disregard local customs and traditions. Destinations facing this problem have had to take bold actions to fight back, including erecting fences to block off viewpoints and, as in Portofino, introducing seasonal “no-waiting” zones aimed at preventing tourists from overcrowding their waterfront. 

Although individuals may not realise it, when their actions are replicated on an enormous scale, they may contribute to lasting social and environmental harm. 

Case Study - Amsterdam

One destination that has borne the brunt of anti-social tourism is Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Following decades of managing rowdy, unruly tourists, mainly from the UK, travelling over for drug and alcohol-fuelled partying and “wild” nights out, the people of Amsterdam had had enough. In 2023, the city launched its “Stay Away” campaign, a series of online advertisements targeting would-be anti-social tourists, and suggesting that they should not bother visiting at all.

At the start of June, my boyfriend and I took my little sister to the Netherlands for what was a beautiful family holiday. Although we spent most of our time in Amsterdam (visiting some of the city’s many museums and art galleries, as well as passing a particularly glorious hour watching dogs play in a local park), we made a conscious effort to find accommodation outside of the city, opting to stay in neighbouring Zaandam, a short train ride away. Whilst in Amsterdam itself, we endeavoured to steer clear of the partying hotspots, as even as tourists, we found these areas overwhelming and unpleasant.

If even we, as short-term visitors, felt uncomfortable, it is easy to imagine how much worse it must be for the city’s residents, many of whom live in the city centre, with their front doors opening directly onto Amsterdam’s bustling streets. This perspective is one that visitors find easy to forget, and to some degree, this is natural. But whilst tourists are enjoying a break from work and some well-deserved free time, for everybody else around them, life is carrying on as usual.

Amsterdam’s continuing domination by tourism is particularly noticeable in areas such as De Wallen (the city’s central Red-Light District). As we passed through, on the way back to the train station, the loudest and most disruptive voices still clearly belonged to drunk British men, suggesting that the “Stay Away” initiative may not yet have met its goal. 

Although not everyone wants to be rid of these particular tourists, many sex workers employed within De Wallen have publicly protested against “Stay Away”, stating that they believe the campaign will be ineffective. They also further pointed out how aspects of its Amsterdam rebrand, including the relocation of the red-light district away from the centre, could endanger them. Instead, many sex workers believe that visitors need to learn that Amsterdam isn’t a lawless land and that they should treat the city, its residents and those working within it, in any profession, with respect.

This situation leaves Amsterdam as a city of two halves; whilst it is a vibrant and welcoming destination that offers world-class museums, stunning architecture, iconic landmarks and mouthwatering food (I am reasonably sure that I consumed my body weight in cheese and stroopwafels alone), it also holds a reputation for hedonistic pursuits and debauchery. Balancing these sides and appeasing all involved parties isn’t possible; some compromise will have to be made. From a visitor’s point of view, however, Amsterdam’s story presents a reminder to behave in the places that you visit as you would hope somebody would in your hometown. 

Ignorance of the Law:

There aren’t many tourists who set out on holiday intending to break the law, although we will discuss this in the next section. More often than not, when a tourist ends up in a legally sticky situation, it is accidental. 

As we learned in the article “Why Do We Travel?”, cultural norms and legal systems vary significantly from one country to the next. What seems perfectly normal in one place may be restricted, frowned upon, or even outright illegal elsewhere. The most notable, and in some regions potentially life-threatening, example of this disparity is, as discussed in “Why Criminology Belongs in Travel Conversations”, the extensive variation in attitudes towards and legislation regarding people in the LGBTQ+ community. Although same-sex relations are legal in every European country, and the majority of European nations provide protections against discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in law, the rhetoric surrounding the existence and protection of LGBTQ+ people is a turbulent one. The recent court ruling in the United Kingdom, which set the legal definition of a woman as being based on biological sex, demonstrates just how volatile this area of rights and legislation is.

Following this controversial ruling, every public body, service or facility had to readjust their practices overnight, preventing transwomen from accessing “women-only” spaces, including toilets or changing rooms. LGBTQ+ tourists, unfortunately, cannot rely on consistent acceptance or safety across Europe and, as such, must look into the legal state and social attitudes of potential destinations before even booking holidays.

Whilst heterosexual, cisgender tourists don’t have to consider the problems faced by LGBTQ+ travellers personally, there are still many legal differences in place across Europe that could impact anybody wishing to travel. One of the most pertinent categories to consider relates to our discussions of anti-social behaviour (I love when something comes full circle).

As destinations attempt to bring disruptive tourists under control, many places are introducing localised rules or bylaws aimed at cracking down on disorderly conduct and promoting ethical tourism. Notable examples include bans on swimwear and being in a state of undress away from the beach, the prohibition of playing music out loud, and fines for public urination, including for urinating in the sea at two Spanish resorts (I pity whoever’s job it is to enforce that). 

As laws represent the social values and expectations held for people, regardless of whether they are residents in a place or not, taking the time to familiarise yourself with local legislation before going on a trip may be a good idea. Don’t worry, I am not suggesting you sit down with a tome of statutes, but having just a little knowledge will help you fit in, respect local customs, and avoid becoming unintentionally involved in any misdemeanour.

Crime Tourism: A Darker Side of Travel:

While many instances of tourist misbehaviour stem from ignorance, entitlement, or cultural confusion, some forms of misconduct are far more serious. A small but disturbing group of travellers intentionally seek out destinations where they can engage in illegal activities. This phenomenon, known as crime tourism, is commonly split into two primary forms: drug tourism and sex tourism, and provides a stark contrast with the antisocial behaviour and ignorance-based criminality we have looked at before.

Drug Tourism

Some travellers plan their trips specifically to visit destinations where drug laws are more relaxed or their enforcement is less strict. Such places exist worldwide, with regions such as South-East Asia and South America particularly notorious for being hubs for recreational drug use and “party tourism”. Within Europe, places like Amsterdam are well known for their cannabis “coffeeshops” and the legal loophole that allows for the sale of psilocybin “truffles” (a part of the fungus that grows magic mushrooms). Other countries, such as Portugal and the Czech Republic, have decriminalised the possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use, which may draw visitors seeking to use substances with little chance of facing legal consequences. 

Whilst some places may tolerate drug use, it can still cause problems. Drug tourism can put a strain on local healthcare systems and fuel anti-social behaviour, disrupting the community. Besides impacting the local area, using drugs, particularly in unfamiliar environments, may pose significant risks to the individual, ranging from minor discomfort to severe physical and mental health problems, or even, tragically, death. Ultimately, being a responsible tourist means respecting the local community and recognising that your choices can have consequences that extend far beyond yourself.

Sex Tourism - Content Warning: Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation

A far more distressing type of crime tourism is sex tourism, where individuals travel to engage in sexual activity, often exploiting vulnerable people. Whilst drug tourism’s impacts centre around personal risk and public disruption, sex tourism raises serious ethical and human rights issues. 

In some circumstances, sex work between consenting adults is legal, regulated, and entered into as a profession voluntarily, but far too often, sex work is founded on some form of exploitation. Sex “tourists” frequently target economically disadvantaged regions, where poverty, limited opportunities and social inequality can make individuals vulnerable; in these areas, victims may be coerced, deceived, or trafficked into the sex trade. 

Even more disturbingly, some of these “tourists” travel specifically to exploit children. Child sexual abuse, though illegal under international law, persists in parts of the world where law enforcement is weak or corrupt, with some regions having gained notoriety as destinations for child sexual abuse. In response to this problem, a growing number of countries have introduced extraterritorial laws that allow citizens to be prosecuted at home for committing child sexual abuse abroad.

Sex tourism, especially when it supports the exploitation of vulnerable adults or children, represents a severe weakness in the frameworks put in place to protect our fundamental human rights. Those who choose to take advantage of this weakness are committing a heinous act by perpetuating an unconscionable industry to prey upon those who are most at risk of harm. As world travellers, we can’t ignore the damage caused by those who misuse their freedom to travel.

Being socially aware and acting ethically should always be a priority as we explore the world. Travel should never come at the cost of someone else’s safety, dignity, or fundamental human rights.

Travelling with Respect

Travel is a great privilege, but it’s often taken for granted. Whether through ignorance, entitlement, or in the darkest cases, a desire to cause deliberate harm, the actions of a few unscrupulous people can leave lasting damage on the places we visit and the people who call them home.

None of this article’s warnings are here to tell you that travel shouldn’t be fun; of course not. Eat an astonishing amount of stroopwafel (or other regionally appropriate snacks), share a laugh with somebody you love, take those photos, but do so with awareness.

Respect the local rules, the culture, and the space you’re in. Remember you’re a guest in someone else’s home, and act like it.

If the Worst Should Happen:

Should anything go wrong while you are travelling abroad, your first point of contact should always be your home country’s embassy, high commission, or consulate in the country you’re visiting. They can offer support, provide language interpretation, help you report incidents to local police, and, if you’re arrested, ensure that you understand your rights and receive appropriate legal assistance.

Although this is not an official website, it appears to provide the contact details and addresses for a wide range of diplomatic missions: https://www.embassy-worldwide.com/  
• Pan-European Emergency Number: 112

Please click the photo below for a collection of my European Criminological Perspectives columns:

 
Cerys Tandy is snsvs’ European Criminological Perspectives Editor. She is currently studying for an MSc in Psychology at the University of Stirling, having previously completed a degree in Criminology and Sociology. Whilst Cerys currently feels a little lost when it comes to her future, she is deeply fascinated by the study of crime, with a particular focus on ensuring that victims receive the very best care and support. When Cerys has time away from her studies, she loves escaping the city for hikes, loch swims, and wildlife watching with her partner in the Scottish countryside.