'I'm a travel agent and these five destinations are completely overrated'

Daily Record

13-07-2025

The travel agent certainly didn't hold back on his review of five tourist hotspots
Picking the perfect destination for your holiday is no easy task. But now, a professional travel agent may just help you narrow down your options.
Carlos Lavilla, who assists in curating tailor-made trips at Turama, recently took to TikTok to share his insights. After travelling for more than three decades, he warned that some destinations are severely overrated.
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"These are the five tourist destinations that, as a professional travel agent, I consider to be the most overrated," he told Turama's followers. "And not just as a professional travel agent, but also as an inveterate traveller for more than 30 years, these are the tourist destinations that I don't usually recommend to my customers."
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No. 5: Cape Verde
Counting back from fifth place, Carlos revealed that Cape Verde was among the most overhyped destinations he'd ever been to. The archipelago, situated in the Atlantic Ocean just west of Africa, has long attracted tourists from far and wide.
In fact, official statistics suggest that a record-breaking 1.2 million tourists were welcomed into the nation last year alone. However, perhaps contentiously, Carlos has been disappointed with his experience.
On TikTok, he said: "In my opinion, travelling to Cape Verde as an alternative to the Canary Islands is like buying a Fiat Panda thinking you're getting a Ferrari F40. No matter how you try to dress it up, there's simply no comparison."
No. 4: Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg's position as the fourth city on the agent's list might raise a few eyebrows. As one of South Africa's largest cities, it boasts an array of significant landmarks such as Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum, not to mention the chance for visitors to embark on nearby wildlife safaris.
However, Carlos cited its high crime rate as a reason he wasn't so keen on the destination. According to Statista data, between 2022 and 2023, Johannesburg Central experienced more contact crime incidents than any other city. These mainly included common assaults.
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"In addition, you'll be able to say you were robbed in one of the ugliest cities on Earth," Carlos added.
No. 3: Hawaiian Islands
For many, Hawaii's vibrant blue waters and beautiful beaches represent the ideal holiday destination. Unfortunately, Carlos doesn't agree.
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Instead, he claimed there are far 'more interesting' alternatives that are worth more of your time. He went on: "With a couple of honourable exceptions (which do exist), Hawaii is the ideal destination for an American retiree over 70 who has a collection of shirts at home that he doesn't dare to wear anywhere else.
"If that's not your case, I assure you there are much more interesting and far less predictable alternatives."
No. 2: South Korea
Next on the hit list was South Korea and Carlos certainly didn't hold back. The travel agent not only alleged that tourists aren't treated too warmly here but also said he just finds the entire nation 'bland'.
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"South Korea is excessively expensive for what it offers," he said. "The treatment of foreign tourists leaves much to be desired. I find it bland, insipid, and rather sad. You may return home shrouded in a great depression."
Despite his views, tourism in South Korea is only increasing. The nation's capital, Seoul, and other major cities like Busan, are among the various hotspots that welcome countless visitors every year.
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No. 1: Doha, Qatar
Last but not least, Carlos drew attention to Doha. Qatar's capital is often deemed a vibrant source of culture, hosting numerous museums, malls and even a chance to hop on desert safaris.
Yet, Carlos disagrees. In fact, he compared tourism here to visiting a 'petrol station in the middle of a motorway'. He explained: "For my taste, Doha in tourism terms is like a petrol station in the middle of a motorway: a place where you stop briefly to relieve yourself, grab a quick bite, rest for a few minutes, and then carry on. There's nothing more to it."
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Unsurprisingly, the travel agent's views stirred up quite the debate on TikTok. While some users agreed with his views, others slammed them as completely untrue.
One person wrote: "I've travelled to more than 40 countries, and South Korea is one of the best places to relax and see very different things, and they treat you wonderfully! And Cape Verde is very diverse, with several islands, all different, very Europeanised, having been a Portuguese colony. It's highly recommended, not to put it in the top 5 most overrated..."
Another person added: "Have you been to Cape Verde? There are 10 islands... and they are all different." Meanwhile, someone else said: "I would add Cuba. Depressing."