New survey ranks tourist nationalities by etiquette and spending habits

A recent study published on October 11, 2026, by the online platform SafariBookings.com evaluates global tourist behavior based on feedback from 192 tour operators. The research aimed to identify which nationalities are considered the most polite, generous with tipping, and adventurous, while also noting their spending habits during travel.

The findings highlight the Japanese as the world's most polite tourists, garnering 21.1% of mentions, followed by Norwegians at 10.6% and the Swiss at 10.4%. Conversely, Italians were ranked at the bottom of the politeness scale with only 1.3%. In terms of financial impact, Americans dominated both categories, ranking first for tipping at 29.5% and leading in total expenditure. Germans followed in tipping at 13.1%, with Canadians at 10%. Additionally, the survey noted that European travelers consistently demonstrated a high level of interest in animal behavior and environmental conservation.

This survey provides a data-driven look at cultural perceptions within the tourism industry. The data serves as a resource for tour operators to understand demographic behaviors when planning services, particularly within the sector of African safari tourism.