Cape Town - While 17 percent of South African travellers have smuggled narcotics overseas and 24 percent have lied to customs officials, it appears the majority of jet-setters are guilty of sneaking biltong into foreign countries.
This was revealed in a recent study conducted by Travelstart South Africa, an online travel and bookings site.
The survey at www.travelstart.co.za was conducted to gauge “the darker side of South Africans and their dealings in foreign countries”, says the site.
More than 10 000 travellers were surveyed. It showed that more than 80 percent had tried to sneak biltong into their destinations.
“Less serious” offences include:
l 18 percent steal from hotel rooms.
l 33 percent disobey “No Photos Allowed” signs at tourist sites.
l 3 percent have been thrown out of their hotel accommodation – some admitting they were evicted for “inviting private entertainment into the room”, or “public displays of affection in Jordan as an unmarried couple”, or “skinny dipping in the hotel pool at night”.
l 9 percent admitted to be being too drunk to find their way back to their hotel.
l 5 percent admitted to urinating in public.
l 17 percent have slept with a stranger overseas.
The site has also cautioned travellers against disrespecting local laws and customs in other countries. Travel experts have warned that serious punishments could result from offences that may seem like trivial misdemeanours to unsuspecting travellers.
“Especially in countries in the Far and Middle East where drug and alcohol-related offences are not tolerated, it can even result in life imprisonment or the death penalty.”
Examples included: sitting with the soles of feet pointed at others – which is offensive in Thailand, or patting a child’s head, which is considered disrespectful.
Jonty Medcalf, head of Travelstart’s direct sales team, had this advice: “Think about what you’re doing at all times and respect foreign cultures even if their laws and customs seem ‘weird’. Do not do overseas what you wouldn’t do at home and if you do it at home and it’s illegal then don’t do it on holiday.”
Invest in travel insurance, save the contact details of the South African Embassy in the country you are visiting, do not leave luggage unattended and keep in touch with relatives who should have copies of your itinerary. - Cape Argus