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Survey: These cities will disappoint — and these won’t
Cancel Cancún. Skip Antalya. Forget Punta Cana. A new report reveals the destinations where travelers feel most duped by glossy ads and influencer hype. It’s called Paris Syndrome. These cities disappoint.
The report, conducted by luggage storage company Radical Solutions, that analyzed 97,409 reviews across 100 cities, exposes a harsh truth: Tourist hotspots are increasingly failing to meet expectations. Cancún tops this year’s list, with 14.2 percent of visitors calling it a letdown. Antalya, Turkey, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, follow closely.
Paris, once the poster child for tourist disillusionment, didn’t even make the list. Orlando, last year’s big loser, clings to fifth place. Beijing (11.2 percent negative reviews) and Mumbai (10 percent) round out the grim top ten.
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Destinations with the fewest negative comments
But there’s hope. Guangzhou, China, stunned travelers by exceeding expectations, with just 0.8 percent negative feedback. Lima, Peru, and Muscat, Oman, also dazzled visitors. Dublin earned the title of “most recommended,” while Istanbul was deemed the “most beautiful.”
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The report suggests a pattern: Overbuilt resort cities (Cancún, Playa del Carmen) and congested hubs (Beijing, Mumbai) breed discontent. Meanwhile, culturally rich but under-hyped destinations thrive.
How do you avoid travel regret?
- Skip the resorts. Cancún and Punta Cana, designed for tourists, often underwhelm. Opt for cities like Lima or Vilnius, Lithuania, where culture outweighs commercialism.
- Dig deeper than top attractions. Reviews for landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Times Square) skew negative. Explore neighborhoods and local attractions instead.
- Watch for scams. Cancún, Antalya, and Lisbon require extra vigilance. Research pricing norms beforehand.
The takeaway: If you don’t want to be disappointed, consider a less touristy place like Guangzhou, Muscat, or Santiago for your next trip. Don’t fall for the tourist traps.
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Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected].
