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By:

Naresh Kamath

5 November 2024 at 5:30:38 am

Indian Tourists Need a Reputation Reset

India has long taken pride in the philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ - the belief that guests deserve warmth, respect and dignity. It is an idea deeply woven into the country’s cultural imagination, often been projected as a defining Indian value. As millions of Indians travel overseas every year, the conduct of a small but highly visible section of Indian tourists is increasingly shaping how India itself is perceived abroad. The issue is not about a single incident or a handful of viral...

Indian Tourists Need a Reputation Reset

India has long taken pride in the philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ - the belief that guests deserve warmth, respect and dignity. It is an idea deeply woven into the country’s cultural imagination, often been projected as a defining Indian value. As millions of Indians travel overseas every year, the conduct of a small but highly visible section of Indian tourists is increasingly shaping how India itself is perceived abroad. The issue is not about a single incident or a handful of viral videos but a pattern that is drawing notice from hotels, tourism operators and local authorities across the world. The debate gained fresh momentum after reports emerged of a Swiss hotel issuing a notice specifically addressed to Indian guests. The advisory reportedly requested guests not to pack food from breakfast buffets for later consumption and reminded them to maintain silence in corridors and balconies. Hotels routinely issue guidelines. But when a particular nationality becomes the subject of a specific advisory, it inevitably raises larger questions about perception. “It is a sorry state of affairs. Indians, especially in groups, are displaying atrocious behaviour. This was anyway bound to happen,” says Subhash Motwani, founder of Namaste Tourism. Embarrassing Incidents Whether the notice was justified is another separate matter. The question is why such perceptions are emerging in the first place. Recent months have seen several incidents involving Indian tourists gain traction on social media. One widely circulated video showed travellers performing garba on an airport tarmac in Vietnam. Garba is among India’s most vibrant cultural traditions and a source of immense pride for millions. Yet airports are highly regulated spaces where safety protocols and discipline take precedence over celebration. The incident became symbolic of a larger problem. The rise of social media has encouraged some travellers to treat foreign destinations as stages for content creation. Public dancing, loud celebrations, disruptive behaviour and attention-seeking stunts may generate views and engagement online, but they can also leave lasting impressions on locals and fellow tourists. India is hardly the first country to confront such a challenge. During the 1950s and 1960s, American tourists acquired a reputation for arrogance abroad, giving rise to the phrase “Ugly American.” Britain spent decades dealing with the international embarrassment caused by football hooliganism. China faced similar concerns as outbound tourism surged during the early years of the twenty-first century. A nation’s image is shaped not just by its economic achievements and diplomatic influence but also by the behaviour of its citizens overseas. India today finds itself in a similar situation. Indian tourists are now among the most visible traveller groups across Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This is, in many ways, a remarkable success story. However, with visibility comes responsibility. Hospitality professionals across destinations frequently point to recurring concerns. Excessive noise, queue-jumping, disregard for local regulations, overcrowding hotel rooms and attempts to bypass established rules through jugaad are among the complaints often cited. Collectively, repeated experiences can create lasting perceptions. The most revealing aspect of the debate is that Indian travellers often display exemplary discipline in countries known for strict law enforcement. In destinations such as Singapore, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, compliance with rules is generally high. Complaints tend to emerge more frequently in places perceived as relaxed or lenient. That suggests the challenge is not one of awareness. Most travellers understand the rules perfectly well. The problem is often a mindset that rules can be negotiated when consequences appear unlikely. Changing that mindset is far more important than introducing additional regulations or issuing fresh advisories. Every interaction at an airport, hotel, restaurant, tourist attraction or public transport system contributes to how a country is viewed. These everyday encounters often shape perceptions more powerfully than government campaigns or tourism advertisements. As India stakes its claim to a larger role in the world, its citizens must recognise that national prestige is shaped not only by economic achievements and diplomatic successes, but also by everyday behaviour abroad. The overwhelming majority of Indian tourists travel responsibly and leave behind positive impressions. Their conduct rarely becomes news because courtesy seldom goes viral. Yet a handful of highly visible incidents can overshadow thousands of positive experiences. The challenge is to encourage responsible travel and a greater awareness that behaviour abroad carries consequences beyond the individual. The conduct of Indian citizens overseas should reflect the confidence and values of a nation seeking not merely recognition but enduring respect. (The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

Remove plastic waste stigma

Ganeshotsav offers an opportunity to push for a plastic-free state

Mumbai: Maharashtra generated 4.8 lakh metric tonnes of plastic waste in 2024, the highest in the country. Of this, Mumbai alone contributed 1.2 lakh metric tonnes, official data shows.


To curb plastic use, the Union government had in July 2022 prohibited the manufacture, storage, import, distribution and use of single-use plastics below 120 microns thickness, under the amended Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2021. The law provides for penalties of up to Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment of up to five years.


Despite these measures, plastic waste continues to pile up across cities and villages. Experts say enforcement has remained weak, and unless citizens themselves stop using plastic bags and other banned items, the situation is unlikely to improve. With the upcoming Ganesh festival, environmental groups believe there is a chance to launch a wider public campaign against plastic use.


Health, environmental concerns

Plastic waste is now seen as one of the biggest challenges to human health and the environment in the 21st century. Being non-biodegradable, it blocks natural drainage systems and affects water resources. The chemicals used in plastic manufacturing are known to have harmful effects on health.


Studies in recent years have reported microplastic particles in human organs, while leachates from stored plastic waste have been linked to cancer risks. Environmentalists warn that if plastic continues to cover water bodies, Maharashtra could face a severe water shortage in the future.


Maharashtra’s share

Across India, 9.3 lakh metric tonnes of plastic waste was generated in 2024, with Maharashtra alone accounting for more than half. While laws exist to check pollution — whether water, air or noise — activists point out that implementation remains a major problem. Factories located along riverbanks, many said to be politically connected, often escape action.


The state has spent thousands of crores laying pipelines to bring drinking water from faraway reservoirs, even as local water sources remain polluted. Noise pollution too remains unchecked, with enforcement agencies accused of going soft due to political pressure.


Citizens’ role

Environmental experts say that governments alone cannot solve the problem. Citizens need to change their habits and refuse plastic bags and other single-use products.


If Ganesh mandals across the state take the lead in spreading awareness and ensuring plastic-free celebrations, campaigners believe Maharashtra can move towards becoming plastic-free. A breakthrough in the state, they argue, would significantly reduce India’s overall plastic.

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