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Unlock This CourseWhen you visit a new place, you are a guest. Just like being a guest in someone's home, there are rules some written, some unwritten about how you should behave. In tourism, these are called expected behaviours. They cover everything from what you wear at a temple to whether you're allowed to take photos at a war memorial.
For iGCSE Travel & Tourism, you need to understand that different destinations have different expectations and that tourists who ignore these rules can cause real harm to local communities, to the environment and even to the destination's reputation as a place to visit.
Key Definitions:
Tourism brings millions of people from different backgrounds into contact with local communities. Most tourists mean well but without knowing the local rules, they can accidentally cause offence, damage sacred sites, or break the law. In some destinations, the consequences can be severe, including fines, arrest, or being banned from the country.
Beyond the individual tourist, repeated disrespectful behaviour can damage the relationship between tourists and host communities. This can reduce a destination's appeal and even lead to local people turning against tourism altogether a phenomenon sometimes called tourism backlash.
One of the most common areas where tourists get it wrong is dress. In many countries, especially those with strong religious traditions, what you wear is a sign of respect or disrespect. Visiting a mosque in shorts, or entering a Hindu temple in a sleeveless top, can cause genuine offence to worshippers and local communities.
Different religions and cultures have very different expectations about clothing. Here are some common rules tourists need to know:
Women must cover their hair, arms and legs. Men must cover their legs. Shoes are always removed before entering. Many mosques provide scarves and robes for tourists who arrive unprepared.
Shoes must be removed. Shoulders and knees should be covered. At some temples, leather items (belts, bags) are not permitted as cows are sacred in Hinduism. Modest, respectful clothing is expected.
In southern Europe especially (Italy, Greece, Spain), visitors must cover shoulders and knees. Some churches refuse entry to tourists in beachwear. Signs at the entrance usually explain the rules.
St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is one of the most visited tourist sites in the world, attracting around 7 million visitors per year. The Vatican has a strict dress code: no bare shoulders, no shorts above the knee and no hats inside the basilica. Guards at the entrance actively turn away tourists who are not dressed appropriately even if they have queued for hours. Many tourists are caught out because they have come straight from sightseeing in summer heat. The Vatican's rules are non-negotiable and are clearly displayed at the entrance. This is a good example of a destination that enforces its expected behaviours firmly and consistently.
Taking photos seems harmless but in many places, it is either restricted or completely forbidden. Photography rules exist to protect religious practices, personal privacy, national security and cultural dignity. Tourists who ignore these rules can face serious consequences.
In recent years, several destinations have introduced bans on selfie sticks and restricted photography at sacred or sensitive sites. In Bhutan, photography at certain dzongs (fortresses) is restricted. In Japan, the town of Fujikawaguchiko banned photography on a popular street near Mount Fuji in 2024 due to overcrowding and disrespectful tourist behaviour. These examples show how poor tourist behaviour leads to tighter restrictions for everyone.
Beyond customs and social norms, many destinations have specific laws that tourists must follow. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse and in some countries, penalties are extremely severe. Part of planning a trip responsibly means researching the legal rules of your destination before you travel.
Chewing gum is banned (except for medical purposes). Littering carries heavy fines. Jaywalking is illegal. Vandalism can result in caning. Singapore is famous for strict enforcement tourists are not exempt.
Criticising the royal family (lèse-majesté) is a criminal offence carrying up to 15 years in prison. Tourists have been arrested for social media posts. Disrespecting images of the Buddha (e.g. tattoos of Buddha's face) is also illegal.
Public displays of affection are illegal. Alcohol can only be consumed in licensed venues. Swearing in public including online is a criminal offence. Dress codes apply in public spaces and shopping centres.
Bali is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, famous for its Hindu temples and spiritual culture. In recent years, Bali has faced serious problems with tourists behaving disrespectfully at sacred sites. Incidents have included tourists posing naked at temples, climbing sacred trees and ignoring rules about entering temple grounds during religious ceremonies.
In response, the Balinese authorities have introduced stricter rules: tourists must wear a sarong and sash to enter any temple, menstruating women are asked not to enter (in line with Hindu beliefs about ritual purity) and signs in multiple languages now explain expected behaviours. In 2024, Bali introduced a tourist tax partly to fund enforcement of these cultural rules. Tourists who behave disrespectfully can be escorted off the island.
This case study shows how a destination can respond to disrespectful tourism by strengthening regulations but also how important it is for tourists to research and respect local customs before they visit.
Not all expected behaviours are about religion or law. Many are simply about everyday social customs the way people greet each other, eat, speak in public, or interact with strangers. Getting these wrong won't get you arrested, but it can cause real offence and make your experience as a tourist much less enjoyable.
Destinations use a range of methods to let tourists know what is expected of them. This is an important part of destination management making sure visitors are informed before they accidentally cause offence or break the law.
Japan is famous for having very high standards of public behaviour and many of these are unwritten social customs rather than laws. Tourists are expected to: be quiet on public transport (phone calls are frowned upon), not eat while walking in the street, queue patiently and in order, remove shoes when entering homes and many traditional restaurants and never tip (tipping is considered rude in Japan, as it implies the person needs charity).
As tourism to Japan has surged reaching a record 35 million visitors in 2023 the Japanese government has had to work hard to communicate these expectations to tourists. The Japan Tourism Agency has published multilingual guides to Japanese etiquette and some local authorities have introduced rules banning tourists from certain residential streets in Kyoto due to overcrowding and disrespectful behaviour.
Japan is an excellent exam example because it shows how cultural customs (not just laws) shape expected tourist behaviour and how a destination can manage the tension between welcoming tourists and protecting local culture.
What actually happens when tourists don't follow the rules? The consequences range from mild embarrassment to serious legal trouble and they can also have wider impacts on the destination and on tourism as a whole.
Being turned away from an attraction. Fines or arrest. Deportation from the country. Damage to personal reputation. Missing out on the authentic experience of the destination.
Feelings of disrespect and resentment. Damage to sacred or historic sites. Disruption to religious practices. Growing hostility towards tourists. Pressure to restrict or limit tourism.
Negative media coverage. Damage to the destination's image and brand. Introduction of stricter regulations. Reduced appeal for future visitors. Long-term decline in tourism revenue.
Respecting customs and regulations is not just about following rules it is a core part of responsible tourism. The idea is simple: tourism should benefit both the visitor and the host community and should not cause harm to local cultures, environments or economies.
Organisations like the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Travel Foundation promote responsible tourism as a way of making sure that tourism remains sustainable in the long term. When tourists behave respectfully, they help to ensure that destinations remain open, welcoming and appealing for future generations of visitors.
In your exam, you may be asked how expected behaviours affect the appeal of a destination. Remember: destinations with clear, well-communicated rules can actually increase their appeal they attract tourists who want an authentic, respectful experience. On the other hand, destinations that become associated with disrespectful tourist behaviour may see their appeal decline among quality-conscious travellers. Always link your answer back to the impact on the destination's image, visitor numbers and long-term sustainability.