Surely you can supply some proof of booking, whether a screen shot or a credit card statement. I have never been asked to supply proof of a booking but fully understand your point about some nations being asked to show more proof than others.
Is the paper free there? It's a behind the paywall job anywhere else. Perhaps you can get the paper's news and views by reading between the lines? Besides there is something distinctly likeable in the image of sitting at bars with beers in the tropic, particularly if the ceilings are high colonial style, the G&T's chill and tinkling, and fan blades are lazily swishing overhead
The people that you describe are also remote from our prescribed empathy bandwidth too. How can you relate to someone who hasn't seen the question posed any of those 16 times!? You've witnessed every first time offender, on repeat, every time you've patiently offered advice, almost hosted minor welcome to country ceremonies, but ......... now you just can't take it anymore!!!!!! You snap, and words flow forth, like the tsunami on the horizon you never saw coming. People say things, stuff happens ... hopefully, life goes on. That's what living online is like. Offline's probably not so much different either.