Two Canadians were forbidden from leaving Malaysia after allegedly posing naked on a sacred mountain which subsequently was jolted by an earthquake. The tremor killed at least 18 people and one government official said it was caused by the group of naked tourists who “showed disrespect for the sacred mountain.”
Not the first naked tourists
There have always been tourists who have done outrageous things when abroad. And hippies of the 60s often posed naked for photos in foreign locations. But social media may be worsening the problem, suggests Pauline Frommer, editorial director of Frommer travel guidebooks and website.
“A lot of people are doing these things so they can take pictures of themselves doing outrageous things in exotic locales to impress their friends or perhaps to become a viral celebrity on the internet. And unfortunately I think that may be fuelling slightly more bad behaviour,” says Frommer.
ListenCanadian tourists usually ‘seen as very polite’
Canadian tourists are not generally viewed as obnoxious tourists. “I don’t think that’s changed. The actions of these two folks have not tarred the reputation of Canadians. I think they’re still seen as very polite, culturally sensitive, friendly travellers,” says Frommer.
All travellers should inform themselves about local customs to avoid causing offense when they travel she says. And they use travel journalists as their sources such as those writing for newspapers, guidebooks or travel magazines.
‘Do your research’
“Do your research before you travel,” says Frommer. “That’s not necessarily a negative thing. When you read up on the place that you’re about to go (to) it brings travel into your daily life and that’s quite joyful. So do it. Make sure you are an informed traveller before you hit the road.”
At this writing, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs said it was assisting the two Canadians who are not being allowed to leave Malaysia and who may be charged for taking off their clothes on the country’s highest and sacred peak, Mount Kinabalu.
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