Study Reveals Australian Tourist Attractions Among World's Most Boring

A new study analyzing 66.7 million Google reviews of 3,290 tourist attractions across 384 cities has revealed that some of the world's most boring tourist spots are located in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The study, conducted by researchers, assigned a 'boredom score' to attractions based on how often tourists mentioned keywords related to boredom in their reviews.

According to the findings, the Branson Scenic Railway in Missouri, USA, topped the list as the most boring attraction worldwide, followed by the Illuminarium in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Australia was also well-represented on the list, with the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth being the most boring Australian attraction , ranking 16th overall.

The study found that the United States accounted for a staggering 62% of the 100 most boring attractions, despite making up only 38.5% of the study data. Several other Australian attractions made the list, including the Bell Tower in Perth (92nd), the Museum of Sydney (32nd), and the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania (76th).

While some attractions may be perceived as boring, the study notes that they can still have positive reviews overall. For example, the MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, New Zealand, received generally positive feedback despite being mentioned in the context of boredom.

The researchers calculated a 'boredom score' for each site based on 11 keywords that determined the least interesting attractions. The study focused on the frequency of keywords like 'tiresome', 'lifeless,' and 'boring' used by reviewers , rather than relying solely on star ratings.

Why this matters: The study highlights the need for tourist attractions to enhance their visitor experiences and engage audiences more effectively. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global tourism industry is working to recover. Destinations and attractions must now strive to provide unique, exciting, and memorable experiences to attract and retain visitors in an increasingly competitive market.

The study's findings suggest that while the United States boasts a large number of tourist attractions, many of them fail to captivate the interest and enthusiasm of visitors. Australia, too, has room for improvement in terms of developing more engaging and captivating attractions. As Mark Frary, co-founder of Family Traveller magazine, commented, "It's often a lack of investment and innovation that leaves attractions feeling tired and dated."

Key Takeaways

• Study analyzed 66.7M Google reviews of 3,290 attractions in 384 cities.
• Branson Scenic Railway in Missouri ranked as the most boring attraction.
• Australia had 7 of the 100 most boring attractions, led by WA Museum.
• US accounted for 62% of the 100 most boring attractions globally.
• Study highlights need for attractions to enhance visitor experiences and engagement.