How to Not Look Like a Tourist

The following article is not meant to poke fun at tourists. It is a humorous piece that attempts to better explain one of the mysteries of the Emerald Coast. The opinions here represent those solely of the author and not EmeraldCoast.com.

By Jennifer Otto

Let’s face it – we can all spot a tourist from a mile away. They are the ones that have the kids on leashes and are constantly digging for maps in their fanny packs. They always have the camera ready even if it is just to take a couple dozen pictures of the stop sign in front of the hotel that they are staying.

The Emerald Coast thrives off of the money that is brought in from the tourist industry; therefore, it is our personal mission to educate the tourist. Afterall, if you get mugged and beaten up on vacation, you might not want to come spend your money here next year.

On a more serious note, the Emerald Coast has a very low crime rate as compared to the rest of Florida, but you can never predict incidents that can happen when you travel. Looking and behaving like a tourist can be dangerous. Thieves see tourists as an easy target. Tourists are the people that get ripped off when shopping for souvenirs. They are the people that get robbed, taken advantage of and even murdered for a little cash.

You will never escape looking like a tourist, but looking like a “stupid” tourist can be avoided by wearing the proper attire, carrying acceptable accessories, revealing only necessary items and behaving in a manner that does not have “I am a tourist” written all over it.

The following travel tips will help keep you safe on your vacation to the Emerald Coast:

Packing for Vacation

• Do not bring flashy luggage. Choose luggage with neutral characteristics. Avoid stickers and do not get your grandmother to sew your name on the outside of any luggage.
• Take only what you need. Sure, there are plenty of items that you want to take on vacation, but do you really need them? Ask yourself this question as you pack for your vacation.
• Clean out your wallet. Make sure that you do not take every credit card you own and important documents that could cause problems if lost. Make photocopies of all the items that will remain in your wallet in case your wallet is lost or stolen.
  
  

Airport safety

• Do not place valuables in checked baggage. Your bags will pass through a lot of unsupervised hands on your flight to Florida. Chances are nothing will happen, but do not be sorry later. Keep jewelry, money and travelers’ checks in a carry-on bag.
• Watch your bags. Baggage theft at airports is on the rise, and half of the bags stolen are those left unattended.
• Watch your pockets. People bumping into you could very well be pickpockets, and people asking you questions could be diverting your attention while an accomplice grabs your bag.
  
  

Road safety

• Drive the least flashy car. Do not rent a Porsche or other flashy car. If you are driving your own car to Florida, do not take your Lexus instead take the Toyota.
• Keep valuables out of sight. Before you start your trip, make sure that valuables are well concealed. You do not want to transfer items into your trunk in front of other people.
• Find out which parts of town you need to stay away from. Do not be caught in the wrong part of town, especially if you are not familiar with the roads.
• Avoid looking like a tourist. Tuck the Disneyland bags and travel guides discreetly away in the trunk when you are away from your car.
• Study a map before you walk out on the street. Road maps are useful when you are in the car driving, but out of the car, a map gives it away every time.
  
  

Hotel safety

• Ask questions before you go. Make sure you know where you are staying and whether you are in a safe area.
• Get a room that uses electronic key cards. Look for electronic key cards, instead of regular room keys. The electronic cards are reprogrammed for each new guest.
• Ask for a room that opens to the interior hallway. Thieves can monitor when you leave and return to your room from the parking lot.
• Know the emergency exits. Prepare yourself in the beginning of your stay for all worst case scenarios and make sure that your family is aware of exits as well.
• Do not open your door to strangers. If the person claims to be a hotel employee, call the desk to verify.
• Lock valuables in a hotel safe. Only take what you need with you on a day of touring the Emerald Coast. Leave all other valuables locked in a hotel safe.
• Lock your room when you leave. Even if you are just going down the hallway to get some ice, lock your room. Also, make sure windows and doors to balconies are locked.
  
  

Other safety tips

• Bring photos of your children. Always have a recent, clear photo of your child with you. If you do get separated, the authorities will want an up-to-date picture.
• Bring cash and only one credit card. Bring only what you need and leave copies of the front and back of your credit card, and any other important documents you are carrying, with a friend or close relative.
• Have a contact not traveling with you. Call someone and let this person know where you are staying and how to reach you. Call this person daily to provide an update on your trip. If something happens, this person will be able to provide details of your last whereabouts.
• Spend your money wisely. How you spend money on your trip can identify you as a tourist. If you are constantly reaching under your shirt to pull money from your fanny pack, you give yourself away. Locals carry wallets and purses.
• Obey local laws and customs. For those traveling within the U.S., Florida laws will be similar to those in your own state; however, small differences may be present and it is up to you to find out what they are. If you are traveling from another country, find out what laws you should become familiar with before you visit. The last thing you need is a visit to the jails while you are on vacation.
• Pay attention in big crowds. Thieves are good at distracting tourists in order to get what they want.
• Limit the use of a camera. A camera is a wonderful instrument and should be taken with a tourist or anyone at all times, but more than five pictures taken of the kids in front of the ticket booth at Disney World could make a tourist stand out.

Now that you have ditched the leashes and the tropical shirts, it is time to have a little fun. We all remember the “Where’s Waldo” books. Using this same concept, see if you can determine which people on the beach are in fact tourists. You can take the game a step farther and try to determine which state or country the tourists are from.