But, according to new research, far from the romantic image, the modern backpacker is ignorant and destructive. In Goa, Thailand and India backpacking travellers are turning once idyllic beaches into ghettos, where they live on pizza, beer and drugs. And instead of paying attention to local culture and local sensibilities, they go to raves and full-moon parties, getting drunk, drugged and noisy. They can rarely light up in their workplace nowadays, and if they want to travel by plane, they suffer for hours, as most airlines have now banned smoking even on long-haul flights. They work with the few airlines that haven't banned smoking yet, and they make sure that you can smoke at your destination hotel.
Many tourists dress down when they go on holiday.
They don't respect local customs. They dress as if they were sitting in their own back garden - wearing shorts, showing hairy chests and bulging stomachs. It's inappropriate in certain places - like churches or other places of worship. Tourists should observe local customs and religious requirements. Local people very often suppress their feelings for the sake of the money the tourists bring.