Munich  - Japanese and German tourists have been ranked as among the most polite and uncomplaining, according to a new survey while Germans are also appreciated for their tidiness and cleanliness.

According to a poll among 4,500 managers from 27 countries, the Germans do not complain as much as visitors from other countries and were ranked fourth best in the category among tourists from 16 countries.

The Americans were generous with tips but came across as the most untidy, whingeing, loud and worst-dressed travellers followed by the British and French. The TNS Infratest of Munich was carried out on behalf of the Expedia vacation website.

The French were classed as elegantly-dressed but had little interest in learning foreign languages and were apt to moan a lot and be penny-pinching, the survey revealed. They and the Spaniards were seen as the worst tourists overall. In Europe, Britons were regarded by hoteliers as being the worst-behaved.

The Japanese emerged as model tourists for the third straight year. Hoteliers said they found them to be clean and tidy, polite, quiet and uncomplaining. (dpa)