10 Travel Tips to Avoid Being a "Tourist Target"

▲ As summer vacation draws to a close, it's the perfect time to avoid the peak season of group tours and embark on a backpacking adventure. (Photo / Darzhi Images / Illustration)

Lifestyle Center / Comprehensive Report

As summer vacation draws to a close, it's the perfect time to avoid the peak season of group tours and embark on a backpacking adventure. When traveling abroad, unfamiliarity with the local environment can easily lead to getting lost, having no one to turn to, and becoming an easy "tourist target" for local criminals. A travel website offers 10 suggestions to help you avoid looking too much like a tourist and becoming a potential victim.

1. Put away the map.There’s no more tourist-like behavior than standing on the street holding a map and stopping passersby for directions. It’s recommended to use a compact pocket map or ask the hotel staff for directions before leaving your accommodation. If all else fails, you can also use your phone’s map app.

2. Learn to identify local coins.When receiving change while shopping, counting coins in public to verify the amount not only bothers other customers but also makes you an easy target for thieves while you’re distracted. It’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the local currency before your trip or avoid using large bills for small purchases to reduce the need to handle coins.

3. Avoid wearing a fanny pack.While carrying a fanny pack to hold valuables is convenient while traveling, unless you’re a street vendor, there’s no need to display all your belongings right in front of you. It’s practically an invitation to thieves saying, “My passport and money are right here.”

4. Don’t stare or point.In a foreign place, even if someone dressed in unusual clothing passes by, remember not to act shocked or point at them.

▲ Don’t walk around with a large backpack. (Photo / Darzhi / Illustration)

5. Don’t walk around with a large backpack.After confirming your accommodation, consider whether you really need to carry a large backpack when going out. An oversized backpack is not only a hazard to others on the street, but it can also knock into people around you and increases the risk of theft. It’s better to leave your luggage at the hotel and travel light.

6. Pack away overly recognizable T-shirts.For example, in Taiwan, unless there’s a special event, wearing a “Cambridge University” hoodie or a Manchester United jersey isn’t wrong, but it’s practically the same as wearing a sign that says, “I’m a foreigner.”

7. Be cautious with hidden money pockets.Some travelers use inner pockets to store valuables to avoid attracting thieves. However, when you need to access them, try to avoid doing so in public. Suddenly loosening your belt or flipping open your shirt can startle others and also signal, “My valuables are here.”

8. Don’t wear an “I Love NY” T-shirt in New York.If you’re from Taipei, you’d never wear an “I Love Taipei” T-shirt on the street. By the same logic, anyone wearing an “I Love NY” shirt in New York is 100% a tourist.

▲ Avoid walking down dark alleys or entering sparsely populated areas. (Photo / Darzhi / Illustration)

9. Don’t always wear your camera around your neck.Obviously, wearing a camera around your neck sends two messages: one, I’m a tourist; two, this camera is expensive—rob me.

10. Learn some basic local phrases.Learning a few phrases in the local language not only helps with communication but also helps you blend in better and connect with locals.

While these tips can help reduce the chances of becoming a target, they can’t completely eliminate the risk. When traveling independently abroad, it’s best to stay alert at all times or travel with companions who can watch out for each other. Avoid dark alleys or sparsely populated areas where opportunistic criminals might strike.(Source: Central News Agency)

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