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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.)

Seafarers’ Mental Health and Fatigue: Causes and Solutions

There is a lot of buzz on Seafarer’s mental health, harassment, work-life balance, etcetera. These issues came into limelight during the COVID and impacted all industries globally. The seafarers too were impacted, primarily as an outcome of uncertainty in getting a reliever for signing off and going home. The virus also generated fear of life disrupting the normal thought process for the 8 billion on the planer. So, attributing (mental health, harassment, work-life balance) as a ‘mariner (Seafarer) problem’ is not just grossly misleading but utterly rubbish.


It appears that the hype around Seafarer wellness is more centred around a business opportunity at the cost of marine professionals and the shipping industry. It is pathetic that even ex-Mariners are jumping and harping on this.


Two of the most important issues which can disturb the peace of mind of any Employee as well as a Seafarer in the marine environment are:

a. Inadequate wages (which leads to incapacity of a Seafarer to provide reasonable comfort to their family)


b. Lengthy contracts (which keeps them away from family for 6 to 9 months)


But CEO’s and Onasis of the Shipping industry shy away and turn a blind eye, because this is going to cut their bottom line profits. Thus ‘mental health’ seems to be a conspiracy of convenience created by vested interests and promoted by Shipping companies to cover these two significant issues. The survey results below of 128 active Seafarers highlights their key concerns.


Survey done by JAG Consultants, Singapore

If professional Psychiatrists find it a challenge to cure patients, then are ‘mental health’ and ‘work life balance’ Consulting firms really doing something to (superficially) improve seafarer well-being or are they just making hay while the sun shines? Is it a sugar coated pill which contains chalk powder?


It is time the Seafarers rise and tell their employers that we are mentally sound, sharp and responsible professionals shipping over 14 billion tonnes of cargo worldwide. It is hoped that Seafarer unions reputed to be ‘running with the hare (seafarers) and hunting with the hounds (shipping company) take note and stop this disrespectful exploitation of Seafarers self respect and labelling seafarers and the marine profession as a bunch of irresponsible lunatics.


Seafarers in 20th Century

Interestingly these terms were unheard of in 20th century, when seafarers were ‘paid well’ and ‘respected' for the sacrifice they made, to live a life in isolation, away from the normal, full of risks and also staying away from family.


In 20th century, the seafarer wages were 75 per cent or more of the OPEX (Operational expenses) which have been squeezed to around 55 per cent in the last 15 years. Even the average global inflation of about 5 per cent has been ignored, while their counterparts working in the shore office of the Shipping company get a wage rise regularly. Stop their wage rise and they too will require ‘wellness’ consultants. Thus, how fair is it to expect ‘quality and commitment’ from seafarers when they are left to just a ‘superficial’ increase in wages, linked to a falling national currency v/s the dollar?


Industry ignoring the writing on the wall

One does not need be ‘Harvard returned’, nor is there a need for a 'seafarer survey'. It does not even require 'common sense' which may be deficient in maritime stalwarts. Even an average student in primary class, will be able to conclude that all that is required to un-do this mess created by Ship Owners, Ship Management companies and supported by Charterers, is:

a. 50 per cent increase in wages, to compensate for 15 years backlog and

b. 50 per cent reduction in contract durations, to enable seafarers spend more time with family, improve well-being and perform with greater efficiency when they return from leave. Thus lesser incidents and claims improving bottom line profit.


How can the Shipping industry prevent DALI's and Wakashio's with a crew on-board that is ‘under-paid’ and ‘mentally disturbed and physically fatigued’?


Employees follow their leaders

Let’s analyse what the experts in (GMF) Global Maritime Forum consider necessary for Seafarers:

  • Fostering respect and inclusion: CEO’s should first set an example with Seafarers working in their own company. Respect their sharp mind and mental fitness.

  • Zero tolerance for abuse and harassment: CEO’s should first STOP the abuse, harassment and bullying of Seafarers by paying them inadequate wages and making them sign lengthy contracts. (Take it or Leave it)

  • Transparent criteria to ensure fairness and equal opportunities: CEO’s should first be transparent about their own million dollar bonuses, their first class travel or private jets, which they may have earned at the cost of hard-working seafarers.

  • Offer flexible contract lengths: Hope CEO’s do not negotiate ‘flexible contracts’ with reduction in wages.


Last and not the least, GMF should check the source and sample of their survey of 400 seafarers. Key concern of 128 active seafarers as survey are:

» 70 Per cent Seek an increase in wages

» 24 Per cent Want reduction in length of contract

» 1 Per cent Preventing abuse and harassment

» 10 Per cent Seek increase in manning levels


A CEO’s short term vision

While the global unemployment rate is around 5 per cent but the Shipping industry is facing a shortage of Seafarers which is now at a 17 year high. As per present trend this shortage is only going to increase. The current situation is unsustainable and seafarers are left with limited options. What is necessary is a call for a “collective industry-wide agreement” and a transparent framework for ‘wage increase and regular review’ and ‘reduction in the duration of contract’. These were the key issues even in the 20th century and will remain so in future. Get these two in GOOD order and then we can certainly hope that Seafarers will be a happy lot and will also lead to a reduction in the frequency and intensity of DALI’s and WAKASHIO’s.


(The author is a Shipping and Marine consultant. Member Singapore Shipping Association and empanelled with IMO as a specialist consultant.)

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