Body odour and screaming families still top annoyances on holidays

In terms of bad traveller behaviour, poor hygiene practices and screaming families are still the top pet peeves, while the overwhelming majority think overweight passengers should have to buy two seats.

1,600 travellers were surveyed in Travelocity’s 2009 Rudeness Poll, and 45% pointed to passengers with bad hygiene as the worst problem on board flights, while 80% thought overweight passengers should have to buy two plane seats.

At the holiday destination itself, the biggest gripe with 31% of respondents dreading an encounter, are “arguing families”, while “boisterous kids” came a close second at 28%.

“Whether I’m enjoying dinner with friends or perusing comments made to blog posts online, the topic of rude travellers always seems to get people talking,” Genevieve Shaw Brown, Travelocity senior editor, said. 

“Whatever the offense, emotions and opinions seems to fly freely when this subject is brought up, so we decided to poll our customers to find the worst offenders.”

57% of travellers get annoyed at those who rush to deplane once the flight touches the tarmac, while 29% of travellers don’t appreciate other travellers who carry oversized cabin luggage.

When it comes to parents who are travelling with kids, those who allow their children to run in restaurants and touch food at a buffet are their biggest pet-peeves with 35% and 33% of the votes.

On the flipside of the coin, travellers with children get most annoyed at topless sunbathers, men in Speedos, and kids left unattended by the pool.

Mondo Tsunami Appeal

Mondo Travel to act as collection point for tsunami aid

Mondo Travel has offered its 14 stores as collection points for tsunami aid.

The company had originally hoped to transport all goods directly to Samoa on Pacific Blue aircraft, but an overwhelming response from New Zealanders meant all of the flights were full.

Determined to help those affected by the tsunami, Mondo has now formed a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the Samoa Disaster Relief Council which will distribute goods to communities in need.

Mondo Travel marketing manager Gordon Bayne says Habitat for Humanity will arrange for all bedding, clothing and tinned goods delivered to Mondo stores to be taken to Samoa and distributed amongst the various communities.

“We were so disappointed that we couldn’t send extra aid up to Samoa ourselves, but we’re thrilled to be able to help Habitat for Humanity with the amazing work they’re doing in the islands.”

Mondo will also be collecting money to support Rotary Kerikeri with the fundraising it is doing to send a number of shelter boxes to the islands.

Shelter boxes, worth $1500, are practical, durable containers which include useful provisions such as tents.

They can also be used as food containers and cots.

Mondo stores are located in Auckland’s CBD, Mt Eden, Remuera, Takapuna, Orewa, Whangaparaoa, Chartwell (Hamilton), Cherrywood and Tauranga CBD, Kerikeri, Motueka, New Plymouth, Riccarton (Christchurch) and Whangarei.