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Tourist trap is an establishment, or group of establishments, that has been created with the aim of attracting tourists and their money.
I do find the topic of tourist traps to be an interesting one, since it seems to have a negative connotation.
If it’s something I regret doing or paying, then I consider it a tourist trap.
Fortunately, I don’t have a lot of regrets. The one notable exception is the Pick a Pearl experience at Dole Plantation. I’ve never seen a “Pick a Pearl” in action so I was intrigued. The sales staff and their sales pitches were convincing, without being pushy. They even allowed us to have multiple “pick a pearl” experiences if I just buy a setting for the pearl.
So I did. I am not too big on jewelry and it wasn’t something I was planning to buy. I think I instantly regretted my purchase the moment I walked away. Or at least I felt a twinge of buyer’s remorse and thought that maybe – just maybe – that I just got suckered into a tourist trap.
The biggest tourist trap I have ever encountered is shopping. Shopping where they want you to shop, not what you are actually interested in seeing, travel as independently as you can. If you take a day tour to see the sights, you will also be driven to a factory outlet or showroom of the local wares. Do you really want to sacrifice time at the Pyramids in order to visit an arty parchment-painting shop? Or sacrifice time at the Colosseum to see a leather jacket fashion parade? Or leave the Hagia Sophia to visit a floor rug showroom? Seriously, parchment paintings are sold at every tourist spot in Cairo anyway; If I wanted a leather jacket I could buy one at home; and those rugs might be nice, but not so nice I would spent $2000 on a whim.
You are usually at your destination for a very short time. Don’t waste that time by going to those places where the only real goal is to part you with your tourist dollars.
Take local busses and trains, or walk or shorter distances. Buy your own entry ticket to the places you really want to visit, and spend as much time as you want there. Research before you go, using travel guides and internet resources, and plan where you really want to go.