Beach towel torment is tourist’s number one gripe

It’s official – reserving sun loungers with towels is the biggest wind-up for holidaymakers. And the latest research shows that this is not just the long-standing British versus German joke. It is an international irritation. Professor Kevin Nield of Sheffield Hallam University has completed a research programme into consumer satisfaction of hotels in the Greek island of Rhodes and the appeal of the island itself.

More than 2,000 holidaymakers responded to the survey and, asked to cite what most annoyed them, the biggest complaint was about fellow tourists reserving sun loungers by putting towels on them.

“We all think it’s a joke – but it’s not,” said Professor Nield. “It’s a real annoyance to holidaymakers of all nationalities – British, German, French and Italian alike.”

More significantly, more than eight out of 10 visitors to Rhodes rated the island’s hotel staff as ‘excellent’ or ‘above average’. Seven out of 10 gave a similar rating to accommodation standards.

Rhodes’ ancient Greek sites, its culture and scenic beauty were cited by three-quarters of respondents as the destination’s best features, alongside its beaches and weather, while more than 90 per cent of respondents said they would return to the island in future.

For more information, see Rodosisland.gr.