Fake and purpose-built tourist attractions rise globally

The rise of deceptive or purpose-built tourist attractions is becoming a notable trend in global travel. In Northern Italy, Franco Malosso was arrested and charged with forgery after operating a 54,000-square-foot fake ancient Greek amphitheater for over a decade, charging tourists for visits to the styrofoam-enhanced structure.

While some sites are outright fraudulent, others are intentionally manufactured for tourism. In Verona, Italy, the city capitalizes on the fictional character Juliet Capulet through attractions like Juliet’s House. Similarly, in China, “fanggu” or faux historical villages have become popular destinations for travelers seeking photogenic social media backdrops near major cities.

Technology has also played a role in spreading misinformation. In Tasmania, Australia, travelers attempted to visit natural hot springs that did not actually exist, after they were listed on a travel website due to an AI “hallucination.”