A survey conducted by the Dutch platform Safaribookings on a sample of 192 tour operators crowned the Japanese as the best travelers in the world for safaris in Africa, dramatically relegating the Italians to last place overall with just 1.3% approval. The report outlines a merciless profile of Italian tourists, characterized by high purchasing power but branded as chronic latecomers, intolerant of the rules, prone to boredom and particularly stingy with tips for local guides. The only redemption for our compatriots comes at the table: Italy has in fact achieved an excellent place in the world in the special category dedicated to curiosity and appreciation of traditional local cuisine.
Latecomers, undisciplined and with short arms
The reasons that pushed tour operators to brand us as the worst guests are rooted in behaviors considered not only rude, but even potentially dangerous within a delicate ecosystem such as the African savannah. Ignoring the guides’ safety instructions and showing impatience during excursions raises the alarm of professionals, frightened by the carelessness with which wildlife is approached. The chronic reluctance to give adequate tips contributes to completing the picture, a cultural aspect that profoundly clashes with the habits of much more generous travelers such as Americans, placed at the top of the economic generosity ranking.
Education and generosity: the podium of good manners and tips
As mentioned, in the category dedicated to courtesy and education, Japanese travelers triumphed, taking first place overall with 21.1% of the preferences, almost doubling Norway, second at 10.6%, and Switzerland, third at 10.4%.
In terms of economic generosity, however, there is no match: the United States dominates the tipping rankings unchallenged with 29.5% of preferences, clearly ahead of Germany (13.1%) and Canada (10%). Americans are also confirmed as the first ever for overall spending during travel, standing at 24% and ahead of the Germans and Canadians on equal merit.
From the spirit of adventure to the passion for local cuisine
Getting to the heart of travel dynamics, the research overturns some common stereotypes by offering a detailed overview of holidaymakers’ inclinations. The desire to explore and live adventurous experiences sees German tourists at the top (21.1%), followed by the French (17.8%) and the Dutch (11%).
Decidedly more balanced and fragmented is the map of the so-called “foodies”, the travelers who are most curious and attentive to the discovery of local gastronomy: Indian tourists lead the ranking with 18.7%, followed closely by the Japanese (17.5%) and the French (12.4%), demonstrating the fact that, at least at the table, personal preferences count much more than rigid national customs.
The real reality behind the safari business
Beyond the ironies about the habits of Italians abroad, the entire commercial safari industry raises profound ethical questions that the approval ratings end up ignoring. Reducing wildlife to a mere theme park attraction triggers a dangerous anthropocentric drift, where tourists demand close-up sightings at all costs.
Often the tips and fees of local guides are linked to the ability to get morbidly close to the animals, ending up disturbing vulnerable species during hunting, mating or caring for their cubs. Exploiting and scaring wild animals to fuel the social network narcissism of wealthy travelers represents an unacceptable distortion that transforms the wonder of nature into a brutal and stressful outdoor amusement park.
The rankings of the best (and worst) tourists
Below we leave you the various rankings of the best (and worst) tourists that emerged from the survey:
The Most Polite Tourists
| Position | Nationality | Percentage |
| 1 | Japan | 21.1% |
| 2 | Norway | 10.6% |
| 3 | Swiss | 10.4% |
| 4 | Canada | 9.2% |
| 5 | USA | 8.7% |
| 6 | Poland | 8.2% |
| 7 | Netherlands | 8.1% |
| 8 (ex aequo) | Germany | 5.7% |
| 8 (ex aequo) | United Kingdom | 5.7% |
| 9 | France | 3.3% |
| 10 | China | 3.2% |
| 11 | Spain | 2.3% |
| 12 | Australia | 2.1% |
| 13 | Italy | 1.3% |
The best at tipping (The Best Tippers)
| Position | Nationality | Percentage |
| 1 | USA | 29.5% |
| 2 | Germany | 13.1% |
| 3 | Canada | 10.0% |
| 4 | Swiss | 8.6% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 6.9% |
| 6 | Norway | 6.6% |
| 7 | China | 6.5% |
| 8 | France | 6.0% |
| 9 | Spain | 5.8% |
| 10 | Netherlands | 4.4% |
| 11 | Australia | 2.6% |
Who spends the most (The Biggest Spenders)
| Position | Nationality | Percentage |
| 1 | USA | 24.0% |
| 2 (ex aequo) | Germany | 12.8% |
| 2 (ex aequo) | Canada | 12.8% |
| 3 | Norway | 11.8% |
| 4 | China | 8.5% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 8.1% |
| 6 | France | 7.2% |
| 7 | Swiss | 5.1% |
| 8 | Netherlands | 4.0% |
| 9 | Australia | 3.5% |
| 10 | Italy | 2.2% |
The Most Adventurous Tourists
| Position | Nationality | Percentage |
| 1 | Germany | 21.1% |
| 2 | France | 17.8% |
| 3 | Netherlands | 11.0% |
| 4 | USA | 9.5% |
| 5 | Australia | 7.9% |
| 6 | China | 6.8% |
| 7 | Italy | 6.4% |
| 8 | Canada | 6.3% |
| 9 (ex aequo) | United Kingdom | 4.5% |
| 9 (ex aequo) | India | 4.5% |
| 10 | Spain | 4.3% |
The most food-conscious (The Biggest Foodies)
| Position | Nationality | Percentage |
| 1 | India | 18.7% |
| 2 | Japan | 17.5% |
| 3 | France | 12.4% |
| 4 | China | 12.3% |
| 5 | Netherlands | 7.7% |
| 6 | Italy | 7.6% |
| 7 | Spain | 7.5% |
| 8 | Germany | 7.1% |
| 9 | USA | 4.9% |
| 10 | Canada | 2.2% |
| 11 | United Kingdom | 2.1% |
