Are American Tourists Really That Bad? Here’s What Europeans Actually Think
- Christianne Klein
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
It’s a stereotype that doesn’t exactly age like a fine French wine: the loud, overly obnoxious American tourist, stumbling through European cities with a fanny pack, an oversized water bottle, and no clue about local customs. But is that portrayal accurate- or just an exaggerated joke we like to tell ourselves? A new survey from Upgraded Points set out to find out, gathering insights from more than 3,000 people across Europe and the U.S.
The findings are both surprising and a wee bit reassuring. While American travelers aren’t exactly beloved overseas, the reputation may not be quite as bad as many fear.
“European countries are hotter than ever as destinations for American travelers, but popularity doesn’t always equal praise,” said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. “We wanted to see if Europeans still see the stereotypical loud, overly patriotic American tourist, or if that's just part of a common misconception.”
Americans Worry More Than Europeans Do
According to the survey, 73% of Americans believe they have a bad reputation abroad, and over half admit to worrying about how they’re perceived when traveling. But Europeans were slightly more forgiving: only 27% said they have a negative view of American tourists, and just over a third (36%) believe Americans behave worse than other visitors.
Loud, Friendly... and Maybe a Bit Arrogant?
When asked about specific traits, both Americans and Europeans agreed on one thing: American tourists are loud. A whopping 70% of Europeans and 69% of Americans said so. But Europeans were also generous, with 64% describing Americans as friendly- much higher than the 44% of Americans who saw themselves that way.
Interestingly, Americans are harder on themselves than Europeans are. Over half of U.S. respondents (53%) believe they come across as arrogant, but only 27% of Europeans agree. And while 40% of Americans admitted to being rude travelers, just 12% of Europeans saw them that way.
Do Politics Matter?
While 80% of Americans think global politics affect how they’re perceived abroad, only 20% of Europeans say recent U.S. political events have changed their view of American tourists. However, that varies by country: Scandinavian nations like Norway and Sweden reported the biggest shift in perception following the 2024 U.S. election.
France: The Least Welcoming?
If you’ve ever felt snubbed in Paris (I certainly have, beginning at 8 years old...), the data might back you up. France ranked #1 for being least welcoming to American tourists (15% of French respondents admitted this), followed by Hungary, Norway, and Denmark. In contrast, Italy and Belgium were among the most welcoming.
Worst Tourist Reputation? Texas and Florida
When asked which U.S. states produce the “worst tourists,” Europeans named Texas (33%), Florida (21%), and California (14%). Interestingly, Americans weren’t far off, with Florida and Texas leading their own list.
Bottom Line: You’re Probably Welcome—Just Try Not to Yell
While American tourists definitely leave an impression- often a loud one- most Europeans are open to interacting with U.S. visitors. Only 8% said they’d avoid it, while 72% welcomed the idea. So if you’re heading abroad, just brush up on local customs, keep the volume down, and leave the stars-and-stripes Stanley Cup at home.
Read the full study and explore all the results here: Upgraded Points Survey on American Tourists
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