Tourists to tip less as they feel the squeeze

London, UK – Against the backdrop of rising inflation and living costs, UK tourists are now tightening their belts with 36 per cent (more than one in three) admitting they will not put their hands in

London, UK – Against the backdrop of rising inflation and living costs, UK tourists are now tightening their belts with 36 per cent (more than one in three) admitting they will not put their hands in their pockets on holiday, unless they receive exceptional service.

Penny conscious tourists are now refusing to tip waiters, taxi drivers and hotel staff when dissatisfied and 13 per cent say they’ll definitely be tipping less and less often, no matter what the service, to make their travel money stretch further this holiday.

Of UK residents holidaying abroad this summer, 46 per cent will continue to leave gratuities to waiters and waitresses, the survey revealed, while only five per cent will tip deck chair and sunbed attendants, five per cent street performers, eight per cent hotel front desk and seven per cent holiday reps and tour guides.

The UK’s most generous gratuity givers live in the East of England with 55 per cent tipping waiters, followed by the Scots, (54 per cent) and those in the North of England (54 per cent)

Most UK residents are ignoring cultural expectations and tipping according to how they feel – 44 per cent said they will tip as little or as much as they want if impressed with the service.

Waiters in the States have been feeling the brunt of UK residents tightening their belt.

Paul Paz of Waitersworld, which represents waiters in America where a 15 per cent gratuity is expected, said: “A waiter told me at the end of a meal that an English tourist presented him with $100 and told him to keep the change. The change was $2 or 2% of the bill. When the waiter politely told him how much is expected in the States, the customer graciously added more to the gratuity to boost it to the 15% level.

“However, the other English customers darted disapproving looks at him. Because of the economy globally, there has been a decline of restaurant sales and a decline in the more generous gratuities in America beyond the standard 15%.

“It is a long-standing American standard that tipped employees are only paid the current minimum wage so gratuities are vital here.”

The countries where holidaymakers can afford to be more generous are Turkey, where lira sales rose by 28 per cent this year, and Egypt, where the country’s pound jumped 31 per cent**. The Turkish lira has consistently scored highly for value in the Post Officeยฎ Holiday Costs barometer.

The Post Officeยฎ survey also revealed the biggest grievance among UK holidaymakers are hidden charges on services – 63 per cent complain of being stung unexpectedly, while 36 per cent get riled at “tourist prices” above the usual rate.

Post Officeยฎ head of travel services, Helen Warburton, said: “When researching your holiday destination, do read up on the tipping etiquette for that country so that you can factor this into your spending budget. In some places, like the USA, giving a little extra is considered really important, for example.

“Familiarising yourself with the tipping culture will lessen your chance of causing offence and stop you spending money unnecessarily. Do always take some small notes and coins in the local currency just in case.”

The top five staff holidaymakers like to tip are:
a. Waiters and waitresses (47 per cent)
b. Taxi or coach driver (36 per cent)
c. Chambermaid (32 per cent)
d. Bar staff (18 per cent)
e. Valet parking (8 per cent)

About the author

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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