Beyond the Gondolas: Rethinking the Indian tourist's global footprint
Zhujiajiao, the ‘Venice of Shanghai’, offers a serene backdrop for reflections on travel, particularly concerning the evolving reputation of Indian tourists
The author reflects on travel's purpose while visiting Zhujiajiao, Shanghai's "Venice," and observes a growing negative reputation among Indian tourists, characterized by boisterous, self-centered behavior aimed at creating social media content rather than genuine cultural exchange or appreciation of the destination, contrasting this with historical examples of respectful, learning-focused journeys like Xuanzang's pilgrimage to India and drawing a parallel to the perceived approach of the Indian Prime Minister's international travel which focuses on landmark achievements and photo opportunities over substantive engagement.
The author reflects on travel's purpose while visiting Zhujiajiao, Shanghai's "Venice," and observes a growing negative reputation among Indian tourists, characterized by boisterous, self-centered behavior aimed at creating social media content rather than genuine cultural exchange or appreciation of the destination, contrasting this with historical examples of respectful, learning-focused journeys like Xuanzang's pilgrimage to India and drawing a parallel to the perceived approach of the Indian Prime Minister's international travel which focuses on landmark achievements and photo opportunities over substantive engagement.
The author reflects on travel's purpose while visiting Zhujiajiao, Shanghai's "Venice," and observes a growing negative reputation among Indian tourists, characterized by boisterous, self-centered behavior aimed at creating social media content rather than genuine cultural exchange or appreciation of the destination, contrasting this with historical examples of respectful, learning-focused journeys like Xuanzang's pilgrimage to India and drawing a parallel to the perceived approach of the Indian Prime Minister's international travel which focuses on landmark achievements and photo opportunities over substantive engagement.
The 1,700-year-old water town of Zhujiajiao is known as the Venice of Shanghai, and today I get to sip chilled peach soju here, in the shade of an orange bud-laden pomegranate tree and type this column, occasionally waving out to tourists as they sail past my stone bench in gondola/ shikara style boats along the meandering, limpid, grey-green canal.
Why do we travel? To marvel at the world’s wonders, both natural and man-made, to connect with other people and cultures, muse over commonalities and differences and broaden our understanding of the human condition.
But lately, and on this trip especially, I have realised that Indian tourists are beginning to get an ugly reputation around the world. Now, I am all for Indian pride; I love flaunting desi styles abroad: mirror-work stoles, ethnic jhumkis, kolhapuris, kajal. I am happy to rock the party with my desi Spotify playlist when requested, share my masala banana chips, Old Monk and knowledge of my roots with anybody who envinces an interest.
But what about when people do not envince an interest? What about non-consensual sharing that nobody even asked for? After all, if we are the ones who have set off on a trip abroad, then surely we should be the ones listening and absorbing? But nowadays, Indian tourists seem to think they are part of a ‘Festival of India’ delegation and the entire onus of educating locals about Indian culture (if dancing energetically to ‘Chogada Tara’ or ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ in crowded or solemn public spaces can be described as educating) rests on their shoulders. Or, they think they are some mega Instagram influencers/YouTube stars, and they need to urgently post reels to show everybody on their feed how to travel with bindaas, unintimidated sangfroid. To quote a popular meme, “Dekho gareebon, aise karte hain international travel (Look, paupers, this is how it’s done)!”
Unfortunately, the reels that actually tend to go viral usually feature them bargaining aggressively/violently, littering, complaining about the food, or getting beaten up after behaving lecherously with the local ladies.
One way or the other, the focus is always on them. Not on the destination, not on interacting with the locals, but all about how they went to some scenic, peaceful spot and stamped all over it with grimy paws.
This is the classic case of the full pitcher not being able to fill itself with anything because it is already full. We need to empty ourselves before we travel—like, say, Huang Tsang (Xuanzang), whose hometown I visited. Remember this seventh century Chinese monk from class nine history class? He spent 16 years at Nalanda University, learning and studying, and took back so many Buddhist texts that a team of 20 horses was required to carry them. His travel to India was one of the biggest factors responsible for the growth of the Buddhist faith in China. Imagine if he had just rolled up to Nalanda, shot a few IG reels of himself teaching the locals how to make dimsum and bounced.
Maybe this ‘style’ of insular, non-interactive travel can explain why our prime minister didn’t take questions from the ‘world’s freest press’ (to quote young Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng) or from any press whatsoever when he travels abroad. Maybe he just ain’t that interested in connecting, exchanging learnings or transferring technologies. Maybe it’s all about looking around for whatever is the biggest landmark, the biggest award, or the biggest VIP, making an aggressive, well-filmed grab for the same, and splashing the resultant footage on social media. Dekho gareebon, aise karte hain international junket. Go there, take pics, learn nothing.