"Tourist rabble" in München

I must say I had to look the word up. Never heard of it. Seems it means sort or less a mass of common people. While the term itself seems to be a bit of a bad choice, I see no issue with it. There are lots of other things in this world to get worked up on - this is not one of them.

The fact the LT mentions some places to escape the crowds is somehow funny - as far as I know, it is the most used guidebook in the world.Everything the LP contains is therefore touristy. There is hardly a "us LP readers vs the rest of the world". But sure, they like the tone of the "savvy" tourist. I consider it all to be a bit tongue-in-cheek but hey.

When was the 9th Edition?

Whether the writer feels that "LP people" are somehow superior to others?

Why do you ask? Do you perceive yourself as belonging to the tourist rabble, and are thereby offended?

rabble n. 1. a tumultuous crowd. 2. The lowest or coarsest class of people. {ME}

Hmm, may depend on the neighborhood.

But I'm guessing they're applying the first definition. That's who I'd rather escape.

Escape the tourist crowd...

I agree with your sentiment, and I hope you contacted LP directly. Posting here will never get noticed. A letter to the publisher will.

I suspect the answer is your Number 2: "[T]he writer feels that 'LP people' are somehow superior to others."

Several guidebook publishers are known for having the attitude that their readers are not typical tourists. Rick Steves has made an entire career out of showing people "The Back Door" to Europe that ordinary tourists supposedly do not know about. Other guidebooks insist that their readers should be "travelers, not tourists." LP's angle seems to be that its readers are too young and too hip to be considered mere tourists. I guess if you prefer a backpack to a tour bus and a hostel to a hotel, you are not a "tourist" in LP's eyes--or at least not part of the tourist rabble, i.e., the masses. The tourist rabble travel in buses and stay in swanky hotels, one would imagine from reading LP's guidebooks.

Admission: I have a bookcase full of LP guidebooks and am as guilty as anyone of being led to believe I am not part of the tourist rabble.

Only the rabble will feel offended .. ore even notice.