A quarter of Londoners have never visited the city's top tourist attractions, study finds.

Londoners' tourism habits: a local perspective

According to Tourism.d.ua — Туризм: Even in one of the world’s most visited cities, many locals choose to stay away from the crowds. A recent study reveals that over a quarter of London residents have never set foot at major landmarks like the London Eye, Sky Garden, or The Shard. Specifically, 27% of Londoners have never visited the London Eye, 24% have skipped the Sky Garden, and 23% have not been to The Shard, suggesting a trend of postponing or avoiding iconic sites.

The survey also uncovered additional gaps in local sightseeing:

• 23% of Londoners have never visited the Tower of London;
• 21% have not seen the Cutty Sark maritime museum;
• 20% have missed Big Ben and Tower Bridge;
• 19% have never been to Buckingham Palace;
• 19% have not visited the Royal Observatory Greenwich;
• 18% have skipped Kensington Palace.

Interestingly, 58% of Londoners avoid popular attractions due to overcrowding by tourists. This reluctance means 24% delay visiting such sites for at least three years, while 4% have not visited them in over a decade. Tourism expert Ian Hales commented:

'London is one of the most visited cities in the world, but our research shows that locals should adopt a tourist's mindset when exploring their own city.' Ian Hales

The findings highlight that despite the abundance of attractions, many Londoners prefer to steer clear of crowded spots. This may reflect a shift in cultural preferences, as residents seek quieter experiences in their own city. Such data suggests that new tourism strategies could be developed to engage not only visitors but also the local population.