Latest news with #Cloudwards
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Popular beach 'one of world's most overrated' – 31% of visitors say it's dirty
The UK beach has been slammed by holidaymakers in reviews Despite the UK's renown for its picturesque coastal retreats, one of its famed beaches has unfortunately found itself on a global list for less than flattering reasons. Bournemouth Beach has been ranked among the world's most overrated beaches, drawing criticism from both British and international tourists. Cloudwards experts scrutinised TripAdvisor reviews for 200 of the globe's most frequented beaches. They explained their methodology: "We used complaint-related keywords like 'dirty', 'overcrowded', 'long queues', 'noise', and 'disruption' to filter the reviews, then looked at how frequently they were applied to each beach to calculate an overall 'complaint score." Bournemouth Beach, nestled in Dorset, landed in the top five of this less desirable ranking. The beach is known for its seven-mile stretch of sand, crystal clear waters, and striking cliffs. The beach even boasts its own micro-climate, offering some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK. Whether you're lounging on the sand, exploring the pier, savouring local cuisine, or engaging in water sports, there's something for everyone throughout the year. However, this recent study has labelled the beach as "overrated", reports the Express. Bournemouth beach received a total complaint score of 65.1/100 (with 100 being the worst). The study revealed that 31.7% of reviews claimed the beach is dirty, 52.5% complained it is overcrowded, 10.2% grumbled about long queues, and 5.6% remarked on high noise levels. However, Bournemouth Beach fared better than some US beaches, with Waikiki Beach in Hawaii earning a complaint score of 100/100, making it the "most complained-about beach worldwide". The expert's assessment of Waikiki Beach highlighted overcrowding as the main issue (67.3% of complaints), followed by cleanliness concerns (15.9%), and to a lesser extent, long queues and noise. According to TripAdvisor, Bournemouth beach boasts an average rating of 4.5 bubbles from over 9,000 reviewers. However, a glance at the comments reveals a less rosy picture, with the most recent review (June 2025) being decidedly negative. The disgruntled visitor wrote: "Dirty rundown, no pride in the area. Also got fined £100 for putting a cigarette on a planter full of buts, no bins, little jobsworth won't be going again, nothing like it used to be." Another reviewer remarked: "Great beach, but some tourists are animals, leaving litter everywhere. I was helping out with beach clean for Marine Conservation for my daughter and as soon as the beach was done, it was covered in beer cans, plastic debris, vapes, and numerous wet wipes, broken glass, Cigarette ends everywhere." One visitor expressed their disappointment with Bournemouth's main beach, noting the overcrowding issue. They commented: "We've been to Bournemouth many times and love the area in general but really disappointed with the main beach area on our last visit. "We'd gone late afternoon, having spent the day at one of the smaller beaches (which was lovely), so I realise the beach and facilities will have taken a hammering over such a busy day, but it was smelly and dirty." The top 10 most overrated beaches in the world Ranking Beach Country Score Dirty Crowded Queues Noise 1 Waikiki Beach USA 100 15.9% 67.3% 7.6% 9.2% 2 Venice Beach USA 89.7 60.6% 20.7% 6.8% 12% 3 Playa Manuel Antonio Costa Rica 73.5 10.4% 56.2% 26% 7.4% 4 Clearwater Beach USA 65.5 18.6% 64.6% 8.3% 8.5% 5 Bournemouth Beach UK 65.1 31.7% 52.5% 10.2% 5.6% 6 La Jolla Cove USA 64.3 57.9% 30.4% 6.7% 4.9% 7 Elafonissi Beach Greece 60.3 9.8% 73.4% 14.4% 2.4% 8 Magens Bay Beach Virgin Islands 58.1 12.4% 62.2% 16.9% 8.5% 9 Bondi Beach Australia 57.1 13% 75.9% 7.8% 3.4% 10 Maho Beach Sint Maarten 57 6.8% 43.8% 11.3% 38.2%
Independent Singapore
06-06-2025
- Independent Singapore
Skip the crowds: The world's most disappointing beaches, and the hidden gems to visit instead
SINGAPORE: If you're looking forward to some vacay time and are dreaming of the sun, sand, and sea, welcome to The Independent Singapore's list of which beaches to avoid, and where to head instead to get some much-needed R and R. We get it. Who among us hasn't found themselves in the middle of yet another work meeting that could have been an email, daydreaming of the next time they can watch the sun go down over the ocean, cool drink in hand? But what you don't want is for your dream destination to turn into a nightmare when the beach you get to is dirty, noisy, overcrowded, and full of long queues. Fortunately, the software firm Cloudwards published an analysis of TripAdvisor reviews from 200 of the world's most popular beaches, helping us see past idealised travel brochures so we can sidestep those that fall short of the tropical paradise we dream of. Beaches to stay away from Waikiki Beach. Sorry to say this, but give Hawaii's most iconic beach a skip, at least for this year. On Cloudwards' complaint index, Waikiki Beach scored an unbelievable 100/100. The problem isn't the beach itself, of course. As with most things, it's the human element. Hawaii's tourism push has been a little too successful, as evidenced by 67.3 per cent of complaints involving overcrowding. Nearly 10 per cent complained of noise, and 15.9 per cent said it was dirty. Not-so-fun fact: beaches in the US took up four of the top 10 spots on Cloudwards' list, including Venice Beach (California), which came in second place with 89.7 points, and Clearwater Beach (Florida), which landed in fourth place with 65.5 points. Closer to home, Singaporeans may want to avoid Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, where overcrowding is also a big complaint. White Beach, in Boracay, Philippines, has quite a reputation for its amazing sunsets and party vibe, but people are finding it too crowded, noisy, and dirty. Similarly, PhraNang Cave Beach in Thailand is in the top 20, and again, the problem is that it gets so full of visitors that you can wave goodbye to the relaxing vacation you dreamt of. Where should we go instead? If the sun, sand, and sea are what your little heart longs for and you want to give the crowds, noise, and rubbish a miss (who wouldn't?), here's where you can go. Lang Tengah Island, Malaysia. This hidden gem of an island is often overshadowed by its more popular siblings, Redang and Perhentian Islands. Think secluded shores, powder-soft sand, pristine waters, and for snorkelers and divers out there, magnificent sea life. Nacpan Beach, Philippines. If you don't mind going rustic (think homestays instead of resorts), this beach in Palawan is gaining quite the rep for white sands and turquoise waters. Its remoteness is exactly what makes it so relaxing. Nyang Nyang Beach, Indonesia. Believe it or not, there's a part of Bali that's still unspoiled by tourists, in large part due to the steep climb down it takes to get there (and the climb up isn't for the faint of heart, either). Solitude seekers will get their fill, and adventure lovers will enjoy the abandoned shipwreck on its shores. We call it a win-win. /TISG Read also: New study says Singapore is the safest country in Asia for travellers, while the Philippines is the least safe
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Two famous Aussie beaches on disappointing list
When tourists think of Aussie beaches often the two that spring to mind are Bondi and Manly – and while they are both known for their scenic and vibrant atmosphere, they've also found themselves on a not so popular list. Australia is renowned for having some of the best beaches in the world given its vast coastline, natural beauty and cultural significance. But according to recent research conducted by Cloudwards, Bondi Beach and Manly Beach formed part of the top 20 most complained about beaches worldwide. It 'meticulously' examined TripAdvisor reviews for 200 of the world's most popular beaches to determine 'which sandy shores are leaving visitors feeling salty'. It then ranked the beaches from 1 – being the most complained about, to 100, the least complained about. The study focused on four main areas of criticism – cleanliness, overcrowding, long queues and noise disruption. Coming in first was Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, followed by Venice Beach in LA and Playa Manueel Antonio in Costa Rica. They had a complaint score of 100, 89.7 and 73.5, respectively. Bondi Beach ranked ninth while Manly Beach secured the 20th spot. According to the study, Bondi has a complaint score of 57.1, a 'dirty' rating of 13 per cent, 'overcrowded' percentage of 75.9 and 'noise disruption' of 3.4 per cent. Manly's complaint score is 47.4, has a 'dirty' score of 10.2 per cent, is 76.5 per cent 'overcrowded' and a 'noise disruption' of 4.1 per cent. According to the study, the more negative reviews, the higher the overall complaint score. Bondi and Manly were the only two Aussie beaches to feature on the list, while four American beaches featured in the top 10 and 39 were in the top 100. Meanwhile, earlier this year Tourism Australia released its best Aussie beaches list for 2025, The Bay of Fires beaches beat over 12,000 entrants including Bondi and Manly beaches. 'This year's list showcases to the world what Aussies already know – that Bondi and Brighton are great, but it's worth the journey to see some truly unique beaches in regional Australia,' Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell said. 'There will be many families, just like mine, that love looking through the 'Best Australian Beaches' list every year to pick which ones they want to visit next. 'At times, the selections create plenty of debate, which I welcome, and I look forward to the feedback on this year's top 10,' he added.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aussie tourist spots make the list of most disappointing beaches in the world
Australia is world-famous for its stunning coastline, but in a surprising twist, two beloved Aussie beaches have found themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons — landing in the top 20 most complained about beaches worldwide. While Bondi Beach is the most well-known beach in Australia, being the most popular also comes with its fair share of pitfalls, including overcrowding, rubbish and high noise levels. A new study has ranked the top 100 most complained about beaches in the world, with some of the biggest tourist destinations named as the most disappointing. Bondi Beach was Australia's only entrant in the top 10, coming in at number 9 with a complaint score of 57.1 out of 100. Of the negative reviews, 75.9 per cent were due to overcrowding, while 13 per cent found it 'dirty'. Manly Beach also made an appearance at number 20, with a score of 47.4. Again, the biggest issue for visitors was overcrowding. The research, by Cloudwards, analysed thousands of reviews from TripAdvisor to find out which destinations were ultimately not living up to tourist expectations. The study focused on four main areas of criticism – cleanliness, overcrowding, long queues and noise disruption. The more negative reviews, the higher the overall complaint score. Four American beaches featured in the top 10, taking 39 spots in total in the top 100. Here are the top 10 most complained about beaches worldwide: Waikiki Beach, USA: 100/100 Venice Beach, USA: 89.7/100 Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: 73.5 Clearwater Beach, USA: 65.5/100 Bournemouth Beach, UK: 65.1/100 La Jolla Cove, USA: 64.3/100 Elafonissi Beach, Greece:: 60.3/100 Magens Bay Beach, US Virgin Islands: 58.1/100 Bondi Beach, Australia: 57.1/100 Maho Beach, Sint Maarten: 57/100 Find the full list here. Cloudwards CEO Mauricio Preuss said the study shows how important it is to look beyond the 'highlight reel' of a destination. 'The most rewarding beach experiences might be found at lesser-known destinations that haven't yet been overwhelmed by mass tourism. Sometimes the best paradise is the one that isn't trending on TikTok,' he said. Earlier this year, Tourism Australia crowned a beach in Tasmania as the country's beach for 2025. A pristine, 10km stretch of coastline in the Bay of Fires Conservation Reserve took out the top spot, which was the first time a Tasmanian beach had been awarded the honour. It beat over 12,000 other entrants. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Massachusetts ‘most popular' book genre, according to Google Trends data
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – If you're interested in books and want to know which genre is the most popular amongst those in your state, a study was conducted to reveal that answer. The software analyzing company, Cloudwards, used Google Trends data from the 12 months to find out which book genres were searched for the most, from romance to poetry. The findings were then broken down by state to help determine which specific genre captivates readers the most. Why is Easter hardly on the same Sunday? Maybe not surprisingly, romance was the most popular genre in a whopping 22 states, followed by a tie with fiction and poetry, which are the top-searched literature genres in nine states. According to Cloudwards data, fantasy books ranked in six states that boast prestigious universities and thriving tech sectors. Although Massachusetts has over 100 colleges and universities, it was not one of the states that topped the fantasy category. The state stands alone for its love of historical literature. Cloudwards says, 'Massachusetts readers demonstrate sophisticated literary tastes that embrace context and perspective.' They recommend the book 'John Adams' by historian David McCullough. It tells the biography of the second U.S. president who was born in Massachusetts. In addition, 'Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution,' written by Nathaniel Philbrick that centers on Boston's role in the conflict. Each state's top book genre, according to Google Trends data analyzed by Cloudwards, can be found below: Alabama: Fiction Alaska: Poetry Arizona: Romance Arkansas: Fiction California: Mystery Colorado: Romance Connecticut: Romance Delaware: Fiction District of Columbia: Fiction Florida: Romance Georgia: Romance Hawaii: Fiction Idaho: Poetry Illinois: Romance Indiana: Romance Iowa: Family Kansas: Romance Kentucky: Romance Louisiana: Romance Maine: Poetry Maryland: Romance Massachusetts: History Michigan: Fantasy Minnesota: Romance Mississippi: Family Missouri: Romance Montana: Fiction Nebraska: Poetry Nevada: Romance New Hampshire: Poetry New Jersey: Fantasy New Mexico: Poetry New York: Romance North Carolina: Fantasy North Dakota: Romance Ohio: Fantasy Oklahoma: Romance Oregon: Romance Pennsylvania: Poetry Rhode Island: Poetry South Carolina: Family South Dakota: Fiction Tennessee: Romance Texas: Fantasy Utah: Romance Vermont: Poetry Virginia: Romance Washington: Fantasy West Virginia: Fiction Wisconsin: Romance Wyoming: Fiction WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
