They wouldn’t give it the Times of day.
A reported 64.5 million tourists are expected to pour into NYC by 2024’s end — just a couple million shy of 2019’s record 66.6m, with almost all of them guaranteed to at least stroll through Times Square.
According to a new survey, they’re going to hate it.
Preply, an online language learning platform, analyzed scores of visitor reviews for 81 iconic locations around the globe — to find out how much each one was either loved or reviled.
The Big Apple’s beating heart performed worse than all of them, earning the neighborhood the embarrassing designation of ‘most overrated tourist trap’ in the world.
The study drew on two popular review platforms, selecting a long list of attractions and narrowing down their choices to those that received more than 1,000 reviews. The reviews were then analyzed for negative words like “underwhelming,” “overrated” and “tourist trap.”
Times Square, often called the planet’s most-visited attraction with 50 million gawkers (give or take) per year, was a shoo-in, according to researchers.
Reviewers complained about the crowds, and called the LED-lit locality dirty and boring.
“Way too busy, impossible to get around. Too stressful to enjoy,” one reviewer moaned.
“High hopes and expectations and high disappointment,” carped another.
The boobie prize comes as the area has experienced an unsettling spate of street crime, along with a pandemic-induced retail slump that appear to be threatening the neighborhood’s hard-won modern reputation as a safe and vibrant destination.
Other spots that disappointed visitors were Berlin’s Checkpoint Charlie, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles and the Las Ramblas pedestrian zone in Barcelona — even Iceland’s beautiful Blue Lagoon scored poorly in the rankings.
Preply expert Sylvia Johnson shared how knowing a bit of the local lingo can help you avoid ending up in all the wrong places.
“While you don’t need to be fluent, learning a few basic phrases in the local language can significantly improve your travel experience,” Johnson said.
“Even a simple “hello,” “thank you,” or “please” can go a long way in showing respect and establishing a connection with the locals.”
And while you’re at it, teach yourself a bit about the local culture before you hop on the plane.
“Research your destination thoroughly – learn about local customs, dress codes, and social etiquette,” the pro encouraged.
“Understanding the culture will not only prevent any faux pas, but also allow you to immerse yourself more deeply and appreciate the nuances of the place you’re visiting.”
