Locals VS travellers: who goes where?

Sydney, Australia - April 6, 2014: the Bondi Icebergs Club swimming pool and the beach

Tripadvisor has revealed the most visited spots by travellers versus the most visited by locals in some of the top tourism destinations around the world.

TripAdvisor launched its first-ever mobile Check-Index to reveal travellers’ and locals’ most frequented hotels, restaurants and attractions in major world tourism destinations.

TripAdvisor studied check-ins via smartphone GPS and motion sensors to predict when and where anonymous users are visiting a spot or if they are just passing by.

Analysis of foot traffic in the following cities reveals the following interesting trends:

Travellers and locals both tend to have good taste, generally choosing highly rated points of interest
Many travellers and locals are drawn to the same tasty eateries, with crossover is several cities studied
The most frequented chain restaurants in these select cities are Starbucks, McDonald’s and Hard Rock Café
Travellers are drawn to major tourist attractions, whereas locals often find alternative things to do

In Sydney, the top attractions travellers visited was the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour and Bondi Beach, while locals frequented the Olympic Stadium, Sydney Opera House and The Star.

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The Sydney restaurants most visited by travellers and locals was the The Grounds of Alexandria and The Beresford. Coming in third place was The Glenmore Hotel for travellers, while locals headed to Double Bay’s The Sheaf.

City streetlife on Fashion Avenue, New York

In New York City, tourists flocked to Madison Square Garden, The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum and Times Square, while locals also opted for Madison Square Garden, coming in second and third place was Bryant Park and the One World Observatory – World Trade Center.

Tower of London at night, UK

London Attractions popular with travellers were Tower of London, Borough Market and the British Museum, while locals also visited the Borough Market, but also the St Paul’s Cathedral and Sky Garden.

View on Eiffel tower at sunset

In Paris, the attractions travellers loved was the Musée du Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Galeries Lafaytte. Locals stayed clear, and chose to spend time at the Les Quatres Temps, Les Halles and Printemps.

Colosseum in Rome and morning sun, Italy

The must-see attractions for ravellers in Rome was the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Locals also frequented the Spanish steps but also the Stadio Olimpico and Villa Borghese.

Nativity facade of Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona

In Barcelona, popular tourist attractions was the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria and Park Guell, while for locals they visited the La Manquista, L’illa Diagonal and the Casa Batllo.

Aerial view of Berlin skyline with Spree river in summer, German

Locals and travellers in Berlin shared their top three attractions which included Alexanderplatz, Mauermuseum and the Berlin TV Tower.

Crowded Pattaya town fillde with tourist and poeple walking in the afternoon.

In Bangkok, travellers visited popular attractions including Khao San Road, Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Locals instead, headed to the Siriraj Medical Museum, Lumpini Park and the Ganesha Shrine.

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