For the majority of travellers, sleeping in a McDonald’s restaurant is not a sacrifice they are willing to make – even if it means saving the cost of a hotel room.
But in China, there is a growing travel trend among Gen Z tourists, which has become known as ‘special forces’ travel.
Inspired by efficiency, endurance and intensity of military units, they aim to pack as many attractions as possible into short, cheap trips, according to ABC News.
These trips have become popular through social media, where travellers share their top tips and itineraries.
Among the extreme ways social media users advise to save money is by spending the night in a 24-hour McDonald’s restaurant.
In May, photos posted on social media of Chinese tourists sleeping overnight at a McDonald’s in Hong Kong went viral.
Some Hong Kong residents criticised the practice as ‘degrading’ and said such ‘budget travellers’ failed to boost the economy. Others called for McDonald’s to end its 24-hour operations.
One tourist, Chloe Cai, told ABC she managed to spend only $106 (£79) during a three-day visit to Hong Kong in May, partly by staying in a McDonald’s one night.
For the majority of travellers, sleeping in a McDonald’s restaurant is not a sacrifice they are willing to make – even if it means saving the cost of a hotel room (stock image)
In May, photos posted on social media of Chinese tourists sleeping overnight at a McDonald’s in Hong Kong went viral
‘The hotels in Hong Kong were too expensive during the holiday,’ she said.
‘I decided to stay one night in McDonald’s and another day staying in a cheap hotel that cost $46 (£34.31) a night.’
Ms Cai said she felt unsafe and couldn’t sleep at all during the night she spent at McDonald’s.
‘I won’t do it again. Next time I’ll go on a day trip to Hong Kong,’ she said.
This money-saving travel tip is unlikely to work in the UK, where many 24-hour locations close their seating area during the night to prevent loitering and sleeping.
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Tourists sleep in McDonald’s to save money on budget trip – Would YOU?
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