Reports have sparked widespread discussion over the perceived conduct of Indian tourists in various international destinations, with allegations of cultural insensitivity and behavioural concerns drawing attention across global media platforms.
According to a BBC report, a hotel in Switzerland reportedly displayed a notice specifically addressing Indian guests, outlining a set of internal guidelines and behavioural protocols.
The advisory allegedly instructed guests not to remove packaged food items from the restaurant after breakfast. It further stated that if multiple Indian guests shared a dish, separate billing would apply. Additionally, it advised guests to refrain from loud conversations in corridors and balcony areas.
The report further claimed that in Davos, a businessman was observed playing excessively loud Punjabi music inside a club, while several European hotels reportedly avoid placing electric kettles in rooms for Indian guests due to their frequent use for preparing instant noodles and boiling eggs.
It was also reported that at an airport in Vietnam, a group of Indian tourists were seen performing traditional dance near aircraft parking areas, drawing attention from authorities and onlookers.
Indian businessman Harsh Goenka was quoted as expressing embarrassment over such incidents, stating that Indian tourists are often perceived internationally as loud, inconsiderate, and culturally inattentive, which he warned could negatively impact the country’s global reputation.
According to Indian media reports, similar incidents have been recorded in Bali, Indonesia, where Indian tourists were allegedly caught removing items such as spoons, towels, and footwear from hotel premises.
In another case, an Indian woman was reportedly detained for shoplifting at a retail store in the United States. In Thailand, an Indian national was allegedly involved in a harassment-related incident that escalated into a physical confrontation.
Social media platforms have also circulated footage from Nepal showing Indian tourists being instructed to clean public litter after reportedly violating sanitation rules in public spaces.
Some Indian media narratives suggest that concerns regarding public behaviour and etiquette have increasingly become part of international discourse surrounding tourism conduct.
A social media user also questioned visible sanitation conditions, raising concerns about environmental cleanliness standards in certain areas.
Former CIA officer John Kiriakou reportedly stated that after travelling to 72 countries, he considered India among the most challenging in terms of cleanliness and open sanitation practices.
Political commentators argue that contrary to the “Shining India” narrative, the country’s international image is frequently shaped by issues related to public discipline and urban hygiene, and they emphasise the need for stronger civic awareness and behavioural reform.
