The Changing Face of Filipino Travelers: What Went Wrong, and What We Can Still Fix

Filipinos are known worldwide as friendly, warm, and respectful travelers. For the longest time, we carried that reputation with pride. Smiling at strangers, following rules, saying “thank you” to hotel staff, and leaving places the way we found them. But lately, the global travel scene has seen a noticeable shift, and not always a good one.

This isn’t to generalize or shame all Pinoy travelers. Marami pa ring well-mannered, conscious, and considerate. But it is worth discussing how some behaviors have changed, why they’re happening, and how we can restore the reputation we once had.

Before: The Respectful, Low-Profile Traveler

Growing up, the Filipino traveler was usually described as:

✦ Maalalahanin at shy

We followed rules, queued properly, and avoided confrontation.

✦ Appreciative sa staff

Whether it was the plane crew or a market vendor, we always said “thank you” and smiled.

✦ Low maintenance

We didn’t expect special treatment, and we tried to understand cultural differences.

✦ Clean and mindful

We cleaned up after ourselves, respected the queues, and avoided unnecessary noise.

✦ Humble and appreciative

Travel was a privilege, and we treated destinations with respect.

This image made Filipinos welcome everywhere. Hoteliers loved us, tour guides appreciated us, and we were often praised for being courteous guests.

Now: The Rise of the “Entitled Tourist”

Not all, but some Filipino travelers today have picked up habits that are, well, not our best.

Here’s what has changed:

1. Entitlement and special treatment expectations

Some behave as if every destination owes them something like discounts, priority, freebies, kahit hindi naman kasama. The Karen culture slowly seeped in.

2. Loud, disruptive behavior

Vlogging culture sometimes pushes travelers to be louder in public spaces like airports, temples, and museums just to get content.

3. Rule-breaking for the ‘gram.’

Climbing restricted areas, ignoring signs, touching displays, or flying drones where they’re not allowed. All to get the “aesthetic shot.”

4. Trash and cleanliness issues

Leaving food containers, bottles, and packaging on beaches, vans/buses, or tour sites. Before, nakakahiyang makitaan ka ng ganito. Now, it’s disturbingly common.

5. Poor treatment of staff

Some travelers talk down to waiters, drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides, forgetting that service workers are humans, not servants.

6. Cultural insensitivity

Not dressing appropriately in religious places, speaking loudly in sacred sites, or mocking a country’s customs and people.

7. Online complaints instead of personal responsibility

Instead of understanding policies or asking properly, some jump straight to: “Scam! Fraud! Poor service!” when in reality, they didn’t read the terms, rules, or inclusions.

Why the Shift?

✦ Cheap travel is becoming more accessible

Budget airlines and travel promos have opened travel to more people, but not everyone has been educated about travel etiquette.

✦ Social media pressure

The need to post, flex, and go viral sometimes outweighs respect for the place.

✦ Influencer behavior

When influencers break rules for content, followers copy them.

✦ Lack of travel awareness education

Other countries teach travel etiquette and cultural sensitivity in school. Sa atin? Kadalasan, on-the-spot na lang natutunan or through social media.

✦ The pandemic effect

People were locked up for years. When borders opened, some traveled with pent-up excitement and sometimes, poor impulse control.

But Here’s the Good News: We Can Do Better

This isn’t a cancellation of Filipino travelers. It’s a call to revive the values we used to be known for.

Bring back Filipino kindness.

Smile. Be polite. Treat staff with respect.

Practice real travel etiquette.

Queue properly, keep noise low, respect cultural rules.

Leave no trace.

If you can carry it in, you can carry it out.

Be considerate of other tourists.

Others paid the same amount to enjoy the place. Don’t be the reason they can’t.

Travel to learn, not just to show off.

The world is bigger than the content we post.

Final Thoughts

Travel is a privilege, one that can be taken away if we, as a community, don’t handle it responsibly. Filipinos used to be praised as some of the best tourists in the world. And honestly, we can still be.

It just takes mindfulness, kindness, and the humility we were once known for. Let’s bring it back for ourselves, for fellow travelers, and for every place we dream of exploring next.