Shahd Alhamdan

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — With the rising campaign on the Internet against the poor behavior of Saudi and Gulf State tourists abroad, many tourists have reported of being harassed by locals in many European countries.



Many tourists who spoke to Saudi Gazette said they had been treated rudely by locals at shopping centers, public places and gardens. The number of Gulf citizens traveling to Europe has grown tremendously over recent years, with nearly 50 percent of Saudi tourists now preferring Europe as their summer holiday destination.



The poor behavior of some tourists was photographed and caught on video clips that went viral online and in social media.



One clip showed Gulf tourists smoking hookah sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower, while another showed three Gulf tourists stealing a duck from a public park, in the hope of eating it later.



Bashyer, a Saudi female in her 20s traveling abroad, said: “In Italy I encountered bad treatment when I entered a Chanel store with my friend to buy a bag. After browsing, we asked for the latest brand of some of the bags. The salesperson at the store kept looking at us and if he did not want to serve us; as if he wanted us to leave.”



She added that in another store, the security guard kept following them around the store as if they were thieves.



Dina Abdullah, another Saudi in her 20s, said: “I feel offended sometimes when I travel to some countries where people ask me all the time about my nationality, especially that I am wearing a veil." She said some owners of shops tended to increase their prices the moment they knew they were tourists from the Gulf even though there was little room for negotiation.



“I had one incident in Germany,” Abdullah said. “I gave the cashier my credit card while I was holding the stuff I bought in my hand. The cashier snatched the stuff from my hand and spoke in a very harsh way, thinking I was stealing.”



Abdullah said some Gulf tourists behave poorly when they travel abroad. “They believe that since no one knows them abroad, they can do whatever they want,” she said. “They will break the rules because it is not part of our culture to follow the rules. They will let their kids out in the streets to do what they want and generally make a ruckus.”



Abdullah believes that whereas travel and international holidays were once a trend only among the affluent, cheaper travel costs meant most people can afford it. Many people with limited incomes are traveling abroad for vacation even if they have to take loans.



Rawan Baeshen, a Saudi in her 30s, said she had never been treated poorly while traveling abroad, and believes that the reaction of people in Europe to poorly behaved tourists is normal.



Abdullah suggested travelers research holiday destinations online before going to get some idea of the local culture, and the do’s and don’ts.



"For example, in Austria it appears that bargaining in shops is prohibited but in other countries of Europe it may be acceptable,” she said. “I recommend people smile in the street and treat people in a very positive tone.”



Bashyer recommended people listen to the saying, "Stranger be disciplined". She suggested that travelers follow the rules and respect other countries’ laws.