/ Aug 25, 2025
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Many UK travelers struggle with tipping etiquette abroad, according to ABTA research.
As international travel becomes more accessible, British tourists are increasingly facing challenges with tipping customs in foreign countries. A recent study by ABTA – The Travel Association, highlights the anxiety many feel over how much to tip when abroad, with a significant number unsure about the appropriate amounts in various global destinations.
Tipping Anxiety Among British Travelers
The survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of ABTA reveals that 46% of UK adults are not confident about tipping practices when traveling outside the UK. This uncertainty is most pronounced in destinations like the UAE, Japan, and the USA. In the UAE, 64% of respondents feel unsure, despite common expectations of a 10-15% gratuity in service areas. Japan presents a unique case where tipping is often seen as impolite, contributing to 57% of British tourists feeling uncertain. Meanwhile, in the USA, where tipping is nearly mandatory at 15-20%, 40% still express confusion over the correct amounts.
Variations in European Tipping Customs
Confusion isn’t limited to distant shores; even within Europe, where many Brits frequently travel, there’s significant ambiguity. About 40% of travelers are unsure of tipping etiquette in countries like Germany, Greece, and Portugal. Each country has its nuances—Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Italy generally appreciate but do not require tips, and often rounding up the bill suffices. In contrast, Greece expects more generous tips, typically around 10-15%. France usually includes a service charge, yet it remains customary to leave a small additional tip for good service.
ABTA’s Advice on Tipping
To combat tipping torment, ABTA offers several tips for travelers:
Graeme Buck, ABTA’s Director of Communications, emphasizes the importance of preparation to avoid awkward situations and ensure smooth interactions with service providers abroad.
Many UK travelers struggle with tipping etiquette abroad, according to ABTA research.
As international travel becomes more accessible, British tourists are increasingly facing challenges with tipping customs in foreign countries. A recent study by ABTA – The Travel Association, highlights the anxiety many feel over how much to tip when abroad, with a significant number unsure about the appropriate amounts in various global destinations.
Tipping Anxiety Among British Travelers
The survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of ABTA reveals that 46% of UK adults are not confident about tipping practices when traveling outside the UK. This uncertainty is most pronounced in destinations like the UAE, Japan, and the USA. In the UAE, 64% of respondents feel unsure, despite common expectations of a 10-15% gratuity in service areas. Japan presents a unique case where tipping is often seen as impolite, contributing to 57% of British tourists feeling uncertain. Meanwhile, in the USA, where tipping is nearly mandatory at 15-20%, 40% still express confusion over the correct amounts.
Variations in European Tipping Customs
Confusion isn’t limited to distant shores; even within Europe, where many Brits frequently travel, there’s significant ambiguity. About 40% of travelers are unsure of tipping etiquette in countries like Germany, Greece, and Portugal. Each country has its nuances—Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Italy generally appreciate but do not require tips, and often rounding up the bill suffices. In contrast, Greece expects more generous tips, typically around 10-15%. France usually includes a service charge, yet it remains customary to leave a small additional tip for good service.
ABTA’s Advice on Tipping
To combat tipping torment, ABTA offers several tips for travelers:
Graeme Buck, ABTA’s Director of Communications, emphasizes the importance of preparation to avoid awkward situations and ensure smooth interactions with service providers abroad.
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The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making
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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution
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