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Published May 7, 2024 at 10:13 PM ET
The Big Apple’s beating heart has won a Booby Award for a new study of the world’s most hated tourist traps. AFP (via Getty Images)
They didn’t tell me the time.
According to reports, 64.5 million tourists are expected to enter New York City by the end of 2024, just a few million shy of 2019’s record 66.6 million, and nearly all of them will at least visit Times Square. A stroll is guaranteed.
They’ll hate it, according to a new study.
Times Square is said to be the most visited tourist attraction in the world, and the majority of visitors seem to be looking for more.Matthew McDermott
Online language learning platform Preply analyzed visitor review scores for 81 iconic locations around the world to find out how much each place is loved or criticized.
The Big Apple’s heart beat worse than any other, earning the region the embarrassing designation of the world’s “Most Overrated Tourist Trap.”
For this study, we utilized two popular review platforms, selected a long list of attractions, and narrowed down the choices to those with at least 1,000 reviews. We then analyzed the reviews for negative words like “underwhelming,” “overrated,” and “tourist trap.”
Researchers say Times Square, dubbed the most visited tourist spot on Earth by 50 million people a year (coming and going), was extremely crowded.
Critics complained of crowding and described the LED-lit area as dirty and boring.
Many travelers said they found the area “dirty” and “boring.” NurPhoto (from Getty Images)
“Too busy, impossible to move. Too stressful to enjoy,” moaned one reviewer.
“Big hopes and expectations and big disappointment,” said another.
The Booby Prize comes as the region faces a worrying high rate of street crime, as well as a pandemic-induced retail recession that appears to threaten its hard-won modern reputation as a safe and vibrant destination. It was awarded.
The news comes as the district struggles to maintain its modern reputation as a safe and vibrant destination. AFP (via Getty Images)
Other spots that disappointed visitors included Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, and the Las Ramblas pedestrian mall in Barcelona. Even Iceland’s beautiful Blue Lagoon scored poorly in our rankings.
Preply expert Sylvia Johnson tells us how knowing a little local lingo can help you avoid ending up in the wrong place.
“You don’t need to be fluent, but learning a few basic phrases in the local language will greatly improve your travel experience,” says Johnson.
“Even a simple ‘hello,’ ‘thank you,’ or ‘please’ can go a long way in showing respect and building connections with local people.”
Before you hop on the plane, learn a little about the local culture.
“Research your destination thoroughly. Learn about local customs, dress codes, and social etiquette,” the pro recommended.
“Understanding the culture not only prevents you from making mistakes, but also allows you to be more immersed and understand the nuances of the place you are visiting.”
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