Woman Shares How She Was Trapped In Her Hotel Room For 6 Days: “Found Myself In A Living Nightmare”
Traveling alone has its pros and cons. Unfortunately, going on a solo trip might not always be the wholesome experience you were expecting. Research shows that the majority of female travelers are worried about their personal safety. And the reality is that some countries are far more dangerous for solo travel than others.
An anonymous woman turned to the Legal Advice UK online community for advice regarding a trip abroad that turned into a “living nightmare.” She opened up about how she was accosted by men so often that she cut her vacation short and booked an emergency flight back home. Read on for the full story, including the advice internet users gave the woman.
Solo travel can be very dangerous in certain parts of the world. It’s important to evaluate the potential risks beforehand
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A woman shared how a travel agent recommended her a region to visit abroad that turned out to be a “living nightmare” of a vacation
Image credits: YuriArcursPeopleimages (not the actual photo)
Image source: Straight_Magazine902
Certain world regions carry a lot more risk for female solo travelers. The danger can vary a lot depending on the part of the country, too
Image credits: Savvas Kalimeris (not the actual photo)
Statista reports that safety is a major concern for female solo travelers. Based on data collected during a 2023 global survey, 61% of respondents said that one of the main obstacles stopping them from going on a solo trip worldwide was personal safety.
Meanwhile, one of the biggest obstacles for 65% of respondents was the higher cost of traveling alone. 46% noted that another obstacle was not having someone to share the trip with, while 4% were worried about getting lost.
According to Riskline’s Female Travellers Safety Map, which looks at laws and customs, safety, and health and wellness, Europe is the most widely safe area for female travelers.
Traveling in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand is also very safe. Female safety can vary significantly between countries in North America and Latin America. There’s also a lot of variation in larger countries.
“For instance, the travel experience in Mexico and Brazil could differ significantly between different states. That’s the case also for other big destinations like India,” Riskline states.
“On the other hand, most of the SSA [Sub-Saharan Africa] and MENA [Middle East and North Africa] regions are notoriously unsafer for women, due to political and social instability, ongoing conflicts, and lack of services and infrastructures that grant safe travel experiences.”
A serious issue is that according to the anonymous woman, her trip to that particular region was recommended to her by a travel agent. This raises a lot of questions about the reliability of that particular employee and the agency they work at.
Some internet users were concerned that the woman’s account was suspended after she shared her story
Image credits: Eric Ward (not the actual photo)
It’s a matter of fact that there are countries and regions around the globe that are dangerous for all travelers. Meanwhile, others are particularly risky for women, especially solo travelers. Any agency worth its salt knows this and should issue the necessary warnings about the potential risks and guidelines for staying safe(r).
The OP also claimed that the travel agency kept ignoring her emails and calls regarding a refund for her tragic vacation.
The OP’s story went viral, garnering nearly 3k upvotes and over 600 comments. We were unable to reach out to the author for updates and to hear more about what she went through because her account was suspended soon after she posted her experiences online.
This suspension actually sparked a discussion in the media. Evie Magazine speculates that the woman may have lost access to her account due to Reddit moderators censoring her for going against the community guidelines and using ‘hate speech’ in her story.
The politically conservative magazine also notes that some comments where people shared statistics about harassment and violence around the world were (allegedly) also deleted by the moderators.
“By labeling the woman’s account as ‘hate speech,’ Reddit not only invalidates her experience but also perpetuates a false sense of security about solo travel to certain regions,” the magazine states.
Why the suspension happened is impossible to confirm without first getting in touch with the OP, who can’t be reached because she’s suspended on Reddit. It’s a Catch-22 situation.
What are your thoughts on the entire situation, dear Readers? Do you think the woman is entitled to a refund for her vacation going so wrong? What are your experiences with solo travel? What risks do you take into account when choosing your travel destination? What advice would you give new solo travelers to stay safe abroad? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Here’s the advice some internet users gave the author, though they added that they’re ‘not a lawyer’ (NAL)
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There are plenty of safe countries for solo female travelers, India is not one of them. It's somewhere near the top of the list of countries where women shouldn't set a foot. On the French foreign affair advice website, it's probably the only country with a chapter about the risk of SA for female travelers.
That website from Germany also warns specifically female solo travellers.
Load More Replies...While I do sympathise, if she had truly done her homework and research instead of just trusting the travel agency, she would know India is not a good place for single females to travel alone. I tend to travel alone and India is off that list, as is Egypt outside of Hurghada/Sharm for the very reasons she described. Got thoroughly harassed and followed in Luxor and Aswan - this was happening to a black girl in my hotel who kept being called Bob Marley anytime she went outside. It was better when we started going out together but we still got followed and surrounded, and in one notable incident almost sold off for camels. Don't trust travel agents, they want your money. Do real research, go on review sites and get traveller experiences before choosing a destination that might not be safe for you as a single female travelling alone.
My thoughts exactly. Trusting the travel agent without doing your own research is pretty risky. Bare minimum, and something all international travelers should do, is check the state department's website to see what countries are currently considered unsafe for Americans (your country's equivalent for non-americans). Going to sites like TripAdvisor is a good way to see how things have been for recent travelers. Even if a travel agent went there you don't always know how recently. I think checking with the travel agent gave her a false sense of security. I also feel the agent was negligent in not advising her to do her own research also.
Load More Replies...What a horrible story! When I think where I could travel alone as a woman, India is likely the last place to come to my mind. It's a little weird that OP did not know that (or she did an that's why she confirmed the safety of the area more than once with the travel agency). I have no idea what the travel agency was thinking when they recommended her to travel to India alone.
Perhaps she thought it would be like a Caribbean all inclusive resort? I remember a couple decades ago my ex and I went on vacation to a somewhat notorious island. We were given a list of safety rules: Under no circumstances should I (female) go outside the resort alone. Stay on the resort beach because it was patrolled. Only use taxis the resort employees call for you. Only go on excursions the resort books for you. I’m sure there were more but I don’t recall the rest. Bottom line, the resort was safe and so long as we only used services they booked for us we should be safe but the rest of the island might not be. Of course, my ex promptly hired a jeep and we drove all over the island on our own. The only encounter with locals I remember, we had stopped by the side of the road to take some pics of a gorgeous view. A family (looked like mom, dad and kids) briefly stopped on their way past to ask if we were alright or had the car broken down. The odd thing is that actually drove the message about safety home. They were obviously worried that the pasty whites were off-resort.
Load More Replies...While it's true she could have done more research, she trusted the travel agency, whose business it is to know these things. They failed her badly. Not only in reassuring her, more than once, that she would be safe. But then not being available to help. As to blaming her wardrobe, etc., I suspect it would have been the same if she'd been in a nun's habit. She was a foreigner, female, and alone. She was seen as prey. Nobody should have to experience that.
They can't have knowledge of every person around every hotel. No person behind a desy has been to every hotel in the world. Without an adverse advisory, they have no basis to say a place is unsafe.
Load More Replies...I am young, female, single, only speaking my own language and unexperienced, so where will I go for my vacation? Sure, the country with the news of group rapes a few years ago!
It goes on EVERY DAY. It is an appalling situation caused by male bias and official corruption. Small children are regularly abducted, gang raped and murdered. It regularly makes the UK news due to the political protests. Again, due diligence by the OP would have prevented this having happened. You just don't go wandering a poverty stricken third world country as a single white female. That's asking for trouble. It may not be how things should be, but it is how it is. I'm not standing up for any over-horny Indian males-quite frankly if a few of them were shot then it might put a stop to it.
Load More Replies...The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, too - with Berlin and bigger cities along the Rhine being the exception
Load More Replies...I've traveled in many more or less unsafe countries. Was mostly fine because I adapt to local circumstances, cover up when necessary, etc.. But India? No way. Her travel agency sucks hard. But also I do not understand why she wanted to go to India alone in the first place, if you're looking for a place to resty and recover.
Counterpoint, I've travelled solo as a woman in India, it was a great trip. Maybe treating an enormous country like a monolith is idiotic, so we can agree there are safer and less safe places. Even within the same city, there are many safer and less safe areas/activities. I didn't find any difference in identifying danger in India as I do in the US. OP had a terrible experience, but she didn't even leave the hotel and go somewhere else, just flew home.. she must not have really wanted to see wherever she was in India, she just wanted to see the resort.
Load More Replies...So from the comments, I understood that a travel agent does not need to do any research about any destinations that they are selling, doesn't even need to know basic restrictions, etiquette and certainty doesn't need to communicate any of this to a client.
I don't want to victim blame, because what those guys did to her was disgusting, but it might have helped for her to do some of her own research before she traveled. I also would like to know exactly where in India she went. By identifying it, she could help other women avoid going there.
I can understand people trusted just one source of information fifty years ago. But now, with the internet and social media we can check a million opinions before choosing anything, from a restaurant to a holiday destination. Why did she trust the travel agent instead of doing her own research? What happened it's not her fault, and it's not fair, but the world is no fair, and there are plenty of places which are not safe for certain people, like women, lgtbi+, whatever. If you are a woman travelling alone, choose a safe destination.
so gross to think of a crowd of men surrounding anyone like that. Men, would you join a group of 20 other men to corner a woman? Really bizarre behavior, can't imagine what goes through their heads that convinces them this is a great time.
Indian woman here. Sorry for this. The trouble with some (if not all) is their obsession with white skin. God knows why.. An advice from me would be - Do research on the hotel and place first.. even i would not go to some places... There are good hotels which are safe and will help.. I think you must have gone to Odisha or Andhra or Telangana.. Solo travelling is good for cities with known traffic of tourists..
Single woman went to India by herself. 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ I can't be the only woman that knows what a stupid idea that is? I feel for the lady but, come on, do the tiniest amount of research.
Not stupid, India is a huge diverse country and definitely worth many visits no matter what your gender is. Not every local in any city, let alone country is a good choice. Be prepared and go elsewhere if it isn't what you want. Do people on here really think India is just one place that you can see in a week?
Load More Replies...Ummm...India is on my list of countries I would NEVER travel to alone!! And I've been there with my husband; who is not the smallest person on earth and it was still very uncomfortable..We were being followed as soon as we stepped off the plane and it continued for the entire trip (business). This was despite us having a well-reputed guide that made sure we weren't entering areas we shouldn't.
India is a huge country, experiences will vary, like anywhere else, I wouldn't paint it all with one brush from one trip . My travels in south Asia, solo and in a small female group have been as safe as in Western Europe where I currently live. You're a guest in someone else's country, the least you can do is learn about what's normal and expected. The more you know, the more you are left along. If you go to a touristy place and look like a tourist, you'll get targeted by scams, pickpockets etc. Some places aren't safe, some are safe during the day, but looking like you're scared and have money to burn are the worst signals to send. I usually feel safer travelling with women than men, if you're in a place where the genders are often separate. You can act more like a local mad be in female spaces, plus you don't get weird aggression from men to a male companion. There are benefits and drawbacks to both. But don't write off all of a India because of a bad business trip.
Load More Replies...WTF? India is larger than Europe, and about a third the size of the US and you think any woman within it's borders is unsafe? Your ignorance is staggering. I'm sure it's a relief to Indians that you won't be visiting.
Load More Replies...India?!? They’ve been making headlines lately and not in a good way. Maybe that’s why she asked repeatedly if it was safe? Deep down, she suspected? What a horrible story.
Solo female world traveler here; I've been to 29 countries: most of Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Morocco. Only in Morocco was I catcalled, and I'm 50+, so not looking to go back. India is the last place I'd ever want to go as a solo traveler. I'm brown eyed, brown haired and overweight, also over 50, and I'd still expect a lot of unwanted attention just because I'm American and carry myself with confidence. And that's too bad because India is rich in history, has some lovely country, and has over 10,000 holy places. I am missing out... but don't want the nastiness from men.
Whatever the reality of this anecdote is, generally speaking it isn't very wise when buying a product to solely rely on the opinion of the person trying to sell it to you.
She should have done some research on her own about the location on the internet and taking a look at the own goverment's website for traveling abroad is an absolute must before leaving said country. I don't say that to blame her, as the travel agent is cleary the arsehole for putting clients in direct danger - her story is just a very good example why doing some additional research is an unavoidable necessity
Staying in a low budget place anywhere increases your chances of skeezy times.
She's from the UK, and didn't care enough about her destination to Google let alone read up on the culture and history, she just wanted a cheap holiday on a beach. There are plenty of closer destinations, with short/cheap flights, so pretty clear she just wanted cheap. Guess what? The cheaper you go, the more likely bad actors will be there as a coincidence or will be targeting vulnerable travellers. I've backpacked and cheaper it around several countries and it's wonderful, but you do have to be realistic about what you're paying for. Know how much to get a clean, safe room, and know that if you go cheap, leaving the hotel is best for activities. Sometimes you need a place to stay and you end up in a skeezy place, just don't be an idiot and it's usually ok. If you get creepy vibes, time to move on. If you want luxury, you have to pay for it.
Load More Replies...Always, always, always do your own research. I've been on a few solo holidays and I'd never trust a travel agent for advice, they want your money and they'll lie to get it. India, Egypt, South Africa, Middle East (and sadly many more) are extremely unsafe for female solo travellers. If anyone is looking to travel solo, please look into crime stats (all, but especially against women), reviews, others' accounts of their visit etc.
I didn't realise people still booked with travel agents. But, if there's no official warning from the state department, you don't have any recourse for a refund. Do the bare minimum of research before you travellots of websites with articles on solo female travels. I've travelled extensively and if you follow local modestly standards for dress and in areas that have them female recommended curfews, most of the world is not like the story above. I've travelled extensively solo and the only places I've been hassled to a scary degree was in Florence and Guatemala city. Buddying up in Florence helped a lot and I didn't have any issues in the rest of Guatemala. Do some research, travel somewhere else next time.
It's possible because she said stuff that could be constructed as "India bad."
Load More Replies...This sucks for OP, but did she do any research at all about where she was going to travel?
chances are less because not all places are meant for solo travelling
Load More Replies...i travel a lot on my own too but never outside of Europe so cant judge that. (been to the States many times, just never alone) If im not sure about the situation, i will ALWAYS ask local WOMEN about it. Works like a charm. (Apart from that time when i just came from Malmö, had the best time and met a woman who begged me not to go to Malmö because i would be shot, mugged, r!ped and killed. When i told her i just spend some nice days there she lost her s**t)
She's lucky that nothing more happened. In India, rape is a tolerated crime and happens everywhere, every day.
I would love to find a country where this isn't true.
Load More Replies...This is the plot of at least a dozen horror movies I've seen. In all of them, the person suggesting the location was a shill paid by the predators. (None of them ended this well.)
Research is very important. An agent just wants to sell you things. I've lived in Mumbai all my life and from experience know that some areas of the city are where you dress up more conservatively and others where you can wear crop tops and more revealing outfits. If OP went to the beach, she probably wore clothing that's appropriate for the beach from where she's from. That doesn't work everywhere in India. Unfortunately some Indian men take that as an "invite" and think the woman is "open for business." It's disgusting. For example, Mumbai has a beach too, but no one goes there to sunbathe and swim. It's filthy so if you turn up there in a bikini, you'll be harassed. Whereas if you go to Goa, it's very normal to wear a bikini on most of the beaches there. But again, that's where research comes in. India is only safe if you play it safe.
Going to a foreign country without doing your own research is negligent.
Travel agent is not responsible for your safety. A single woman in India. That's going to be a problem for sure.
single women have plenty of places to travel actually but research and a bit of street smartness is needed
Load More Replies...Finding out this happened in India was the least surprising thing ever
I don't understand why the men aren't required to be escorted by a woman or are even allowed to roam free if they can't stop themselves from raping women.
It's okay Sue: SOME of us understand your post. To the rest of you: Sue is pointing out the rampant victim-blaming around the world that requires potential victims (in this case, women) to "take precautions" not to be victimized rather than requiring potential offenders (in this case, men) to take precautions not to attack people. The fact that telling women not to go to rape-filled places seems normal to us but telling men not to rape women in those places seems alien is a clear example of victim-blaming and misogyny. The point of this just went over GA's head like a stealth bomber.
Load More Replies...I don't know who needs to hear this, but great countries for safe solo travels for women include Japan, New Zealand and Iceland.
iceland? i felt very unsafe in Reyjkjavic. Now it was 15 years ago, so i hope its better these days.
Load More Replies...You are downvoted but honestly as an Indian woman I am also smirking at them wanting to host olympics while they cant take care of the basics. They means men and government here.
Load More Replies...I fully support this woman in getting her refund and I hope that she is getting therapy for her trauma but ALSO!! Who the Hell thinks to themselves "I want to go on a safe, relaxing vacation as a single woman" and picks India?!?! She didn't Google at all? Because multiple people on Reddit would have warned her not to go to India or anywhere near that general part of Asia. For the exact things she experienced
I see that flying Turkish airlines and with transfer in Istanbul longer for 24h, you get a tour through the city for free (I believe it is also a free hotel to stay overnight). It is pretty tempting, but I resist because I would be a solo woman traveler. Even though Turkey was way better than Egypt, it is still something that I don't want to risk.
No female should ever go anywhere in the middle east, even with a group of people. This should be a story spread worldwide for all women to know.
I don't know if a country that is safe for women. 1 in 6 American women has been. The victim of an attempted or complete rape. I don't know any women who have t been harrassed. If women waited for someplace to be completely safe before we visited, you'd never meet one.
Load More Replies...I've travelled quite a bit, solo and not, in the middle east. There is light street harassment all over the region, but I only experienced something this frightening in one place (Ankara, Turkey). Luckily I was with two other women at the time. I really think the hotel was at fault in allowing men to bang on our door at all hours of the night.
I've seen videos of this, women at the beach then switch to see the "view" of the ocean and it is just a sea of men with their phones out. I have always wanted to go to India but they have some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, honestly don't think just going with a friend would be enough for me, would want to go with a native Indian friend. Given all of that, I also don't want to spend funds in areas that I feel treat women horribly either, like Dubi, seems like an amazing place to see but it feels morally wrong to financially support a place that has a horrible human rights record. Feels like supporting a system and ignoring the atrocities they commit.
Females never go to India!!! Even with someone. You will suffer sexual harassment by groups of men and strong possibility of worse.
As someone who loves outside of the US, in very grateful to you for staying there. Your parents were negligent for repeatedly putting you in a situation where you could be molested and then not doing anything about it. Predators always target the vulnerable children, and if someone looks like an immigrant they are often perceived as a lower risk target because they are often isolated socially. I'm sorry for what happened to you, but never leave America is such a weird lesson to learn from it.
Load More Replies...The only places I've gone solo traveling is Europe and North America. There are some places I will never go and to be honest, I don't care.
Even before she said the country, India was one of the first countries that I thought of. You can't rely on a travel agency to be completely honest with you, since they just want your money. When solo traveling for the first time, I chose Iceland after a lot of research because it was safe for women and they spoke English.
In the US, travel agencies are legally obligated to inform their clients about known unsafe locations at their travel destination, meaning they have a "duty to warn" customers about dangers that are not readily apparent, and could be held liable if they fail to do so; this is considered a part of their "duty of care" to clients. https://hospitalitylawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Summary-Scope-of-Duty-of-Care.pdf In other words, it is legally their fault for not warning her, not her fault for not using other research sources, and if she can prove that they failed in their duty of care, she could absolutely prosecute or sue them.
But generally just if there's a government official travel alert for a country or region.
Load More Replies...Even indian women are not safe in India... Imagine a young beautiful women tourist!!
Don't be ridiculous, 600 million women live in India and 5 million or so visit each year. They go about normal lives, have friends, visit museums, go to festivals, go on nights out, study, work, play, all the things women do outside of India. OP had a terrible time, but that happens anywhere. I got hassled and had to leave a beach in upstate new York due to a group of drunk 20 something guys being awful. I don't think people should avoid the Adirondacks. Stop clutching your pearls.
Load More Replies...I'm not trying to take away from the seriousness of this, but never, EVER, solo travel to India as a female.
I've been twice, once as a solo traveller and it was lovely. Although I really struggle with the heat/humidity at the lower altitudes and the altitude at altitude. But people were kind and funny, food and drink was amazing, history was pretty much all new to me, my schools spent no time on non-weatern history, scenery is gorgeous. Sounds like your trip was awful, but it's not representative of the country as a whole.
Load More Replies...My cousin told me years ago to NEVER EVER EVER set foot in India as a woman alone. My sister said the same about Egypt.
years ago.. i live in India and while there are issues, it is a nice place to come.. just do your research and dont trust someone just because they are nice..
Load More Replies...Aany woman should be aware that India is extremely unsafe for them.
It really depends on where you go, like any country. My travels there were fine, no more harassment than I get in New York, less than I get in Rome. There's no reason to write off an entire country, a country bigger than Europe because some places aren't good destinations.
Load More Replies...Until now India would never be on my radar if the beach was a significant factor because there are so very many good destinations east of India, as well as around the Mediterranean (figuring she's European). Just a cursory Google search tells me that common advice for India is to dress modestly (everywhere) and that it's common for women to get unwanted (or worse) attention even at popular destinations. That almost certainly means the travel agent did a terrible job, but I strongly suspect this woman didn't do nearly enough of her own research. I think that even if she went to the beach naked with a vibrator she's capable of asking if she wants an audience or assistance, but the reality is that even modest behaviors (standards depend on region and culture) that would be fine in many destinations will increase problems with many of the men in other places. Given the account of her first day, I'm really puzzled over the beer story, unless it was the person who poured or served the beer.
Indian woman here. depends on area. Some are great for tourists and some not even for indian women.. its all about research and how you deal with things. at times, i have noticed foreigners getting too trusting. they get fleeced. Also many are bagpackers and opt for cheap places.. a big no no
Load More Replies...What "hateful" speech? She was in India, therefore talking about Indian men. Am I missing something?
As a young woman you should't travel alone. Even in safe countries there are a lot of dangers. Travel with friends or in group, you don't have to stay the whole time with them, but in case of emergency you can call someone or ask for help. It is very unfair, but as a (young) woman you are very vunerable. Maybe I am pessimistic, but my granddad was an police officer and he has seen too many s**t happend to women.
Ive travelled quite a bit as a single woman and never had any issues that were bad enough to ruin trips. I think you maybe underestimate how much s**t is baseline for women in their home city/town. Honestly most places you're better off with emergency numbers than a second tourist if you're in trouble. There are more precautions to take, but many women travel solo and very few regret it. It's a big wide world.
Load More Replies...Well, she is able to use social media to get advice afterwards. Bit strange that she did not do any own research on her own before leaving. Maybe she did, and was strongly advised to not travel there in combo with the recent and constant news about how harrassment of women are seen as normal there. But maybe wanted to know better and was happy the one travel agent wanted to sell the trip. At a certain age it is more important what one person says than 100 others. Maybe she dreamt of some cool insta-photos. It too depends on the travel agency, doesn't sound like a solid one, but cheap and dodgy. What did she do on the beach? Lie in the sun in a bikini?
Indian woman here. no denying there are issues in my country. But my observation is that many tourists at times are too trusting. Sadly, we get a lot of bagpackers who live in shady places which doesnt help them. research helps big time. but i still feel bad for her
Load More Replies...I stopped reading at "India". Next time she needs to read the Travel Advisories for other countries.
I'm a tad browned off about how many people are blaming the victim. She said she specifically asked the travel agency for a safe place. Three words: small claims court.
She was stupid for not doing her own research. An estate agent is there to make sales not give you advice.
Load More Replies...The whole point of traveling solo is... being solo. Organised tours are a nightmare for anyone who enjoy traveling solo. But really, most countries are fine even for female solo travelers. If a woman can live alone somewhere, a woman can travel solo there.
Load More Replies...Ace, sounds like you are trying to blame the women, instead of the men who were harassing her, and the travel agent who kept telling her it was a safe place for a lone female to holiday.
Load More Replies...There are plenty of safe countries for solo female travelers, India is not one of them. It's somewhere near the top of the list of countries where women shouldn't set a foot. On the French foreign affair advice website, it's probably the only country with a chapter about the risk of SA for female travelers.
That website from Germany also warns specifically female solo travellers.
Load More Replies...While I do sympathise, if she had truly done her homework and research instead of just trusting the travel agency, she would know India is not a good place for single females to travel alone. I tend to travel alone and India is off that list, as is Egypt outside of Hurghada/Sharm for the very reasons she described. Got thoroughly harassed and followed in Luxor and Aswan - this was happening to a black girl in my hotel who kept being called Bob Marley anytime she went outside. It was better when we started going out together but we still got followed and surrounded, and in one notable incident almost sold off for camels. Don't trust travel agents, they want your money. Do real research, go on review sites and get traveller experiences before choosing a destination that might not be safe for you as a single female travelling alone.
My thoughts exactly. Trusting the travel agent without doing your own research is pretty risky. Bare minimum, and something all international travelers should do, is check the state department's website to see what countries are currently considered unsafe for Americans (your country's equivalent for non-americans). Going to sites like TripAdvisor is a good way to see how things have been for recent travelers. Even if a travel agent went there you don't always know how recently. I think checking with the travel agent gave her a false sense of security. I also feel the agent was negligent in not advising her to do her own research also.
Load More Replies...What a horrible story! When I think where I could travel alone as a woman, India is likely the last place to come to my mind. It's a little weird that OP did not know that (or she did an that's why she confirmed the safety of the area more than once with the travel agency). I have no idea what the travel agency was thinking when they recommended her to travel to India alone.
Perhaps she thought it would be like a Caribbean all inclusive resort? I remember a couple decades ago my ex and I went on vacation to a somewhat notorious island. We were given a list of safety rules: Under no circumstances should I (female) go outside the resort alone. Stay on the resort beach because it was patrolled. Only use taxis the resort employees call for you. Only go on excursions the resort books for you. I’m sure there were more but I don’t recall the rest. Bottom line, the resort was safe and so long as we only used services they booked for us we should be safe but the rest of the island might not be. Of course, my ex promptly hired a jeep and we drove all over the island on our own. The only encounter with locals I remember, we had stopped by the side of the road to take some pics of a gorgeous view. A family (looked like mom, dad and kids) briefly stopped on their way past to ask if we were alright or had the car broken down. The odd thing is that actually drove the message about safety home. They were obviously worried that the pasty whites were off-resort.
Load More Replies...While it's true she could have done more research, she trusted the travel agency, whose business it is to know these things. They failed her badly. Not only in reassuring her, more than once, that she would be safe. But then not being available to help. As to blaming her wardrobe, etc., I suspect it would have been the same if she'd been in a nun's habit. She was a foreigner, female, and alone. She was seen as prey. Nobody should have to experience that.
They can't have knowledge of every person around every hotel. No person behind a desy has been to every hotel in the world. Without an adverse advisory, they have no basis to say a place is unsafe.
Load More Replies...I am young, female, single, only speaking my own language and unexperienced, so where will I go for my vacation? Sure, the country with the news of group rapes a few years ago!
It goes on EVERY DAY. It is an appalling situation caused by male bias and official corruption. Small children are regularly abducted, gang raped and murdered. It regularly makes the UK news due to the political protests. Again, due diligence by the OP would have prevented this having happened. You just don't go wandering a poverty stricken third world country as a single white female. That's asking for trouble. It may not be how things should be, but it is how it is. I'm not standing up for any over-horny Indian males-quite frankly if a few of them were shot then it might put a stop to it.
Load More Replies...The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, too - with Berlin and bigger cities along the Rhine being the exception
Load More Replies...I've traveled in many more or less unsafe countries. Was mostly fine because I adapt to local circumstances, cover up when necessary, etc.. But India? No way. Her travel agency sucks hard. But also I do not understand why she wanted to go to India alone in the first place, if you're looking for a place to resty and recover.
Counterpoint, I've travelled solo as a woman in India, it was a great trip. Maybe treating an enormous country like a monolith is idiotic, so we can agree there are safer and less safe places. Even within the same city, there are many safer and less safe areas/activities. I didn't find any difference in identifying danger in India as I do in the US. OP had a terrible experience, but she didn't even leave the hotel and go somewhere else, just flew home.. she must not have really wanted to see wherever she was in India, she just wanted to see the resort.
Load More Replies...So from the comments, I understood that a travel agent does not need to do any research about any destinations that they are selling, doesn't even need to know basic restrictions, etiquette and certainty doesn't need to communicate any of this to a client.
I don't want to victim blame, because what those guys did to her was disgusting, but it might have helped for her to do some of her own research before she traveled. I also would like to know exactly where in India she went. By identifying it, she could help other women avoid going there.
I can understand people trusted just one source of information fifty years ago. But now, with the internet and social media we can check a million opinions before choosing anything, from a restaurant to a holiday destination. Why did she trust the travel agent instead of doing her own research? What happened it's not her fault, and it's not fair, but the world is no fair, and there are plenty of places which are not safe for certain people, like women, lgtbi+, whatever. If you are a woman travelling alone, choose a safe destination.
so gross to think of a crowd of men surrounding anyone like that. Men, would you join a group of 20 other men to corner a woman? Really bizarre behavior, can't imagine what goes through their heads that convinces them this is a great time.
Indian woman here. Sorry for this. The trouble with some (if not all) is their obsession with white skin. God knows why.. An advice from me would be - Do research on the hotel and place first.. even i would not go to some places... There are good hotels which are safe and will help.. I think you must have gone to Odisha or Andhra or Telangana.. Solo travelling is good for cities with known traffic of tourists..
Single woman went to India by herself. 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ I can't be the only woman that knows what a stupid idea that is? I feel for the lady but, come on, do the tiniest amount of research.
Not stupid, India is a huge diverse country and definitely worth many visits no matter what your gender is. Not every local in any city, let alone country is a good choice. Be prepared and go elsewhere if it isn't what you want. Do people on here really think India is just one place that you can see in a week?
Load More Replies...Ummm...India is on my list of countries I would NEVER travel to alone!! And I've been there with my husband; who is not the smallest person on earth and it was still very uncomfortable..We were being followed as soon as we stepped off the plane and it continued for the entire trip (business). This was despite us having a well-reputed guide that made sure we weren't entering areas we shouldn't.
India is a huge country, experiences will vary, like anywhere else, I wouldn't paint it all with one brush from one trip . My travels in south Asia, solo and in a small female group have been as safe as in Western Europe where I currently live. You're a guest in someone else's country, the least you can do is learn about what's normal and expected. The more you know, the more you are left along. If you go to a touristy place and look like a tourist, you'll get targeted by scams, pickpockets etc. Some places aren't safe, some are safe during the day, but looking like you're scared and have money to burn are the worst signals to send. I usually feel safer travelling with women than men, if you're in a place where the genders are often separate. You can act more like a local mad be in female spaces, plus you don't get weird aggression from men to a male companion. There are benefits and drawbacks to both. But don't write off all of a India because of a bad business trip.
Load More Replies...WTF? India is larger than Europe, and about a third the size of the US and you think any woman within it's borders is unsafe? Your ignorance is staggering. I'm sure it's a relief to Indians that you won't be visiting.
Load More Replies...India?!? They’ve been making headlines lately and not in a good way. Maybe that’s why she asked repeatedly if it was safe? Deep down, she suspected? What a horrible story.
Solo female world traveler here; I've been to 29 countries: most of Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Morocco. Only in Morocco was I catcalled, and I'm 50+, so not looking to go back. India is the last place I'd ever want to go as a solo traveler. I'm brown eyed, brown haired and overweight, also over 50, and I'd still expect a lot of unwanted attention just because I'm American and carry myself with confidence. And that's too bad because India is rich in history, has some lovely country, and has over 10,000 holy places. I am missing out... but don't want the nastiness from men.
Whatever the reality of this anecdote is, generally speaking it isn't very wise when buying a product to solely rely on the opinion of the person trying to sell it to you.
She should have done some research on her own about the location on the internet and taking a look at the own goverment's website for traveling abroad is an absolute must before leaving said country. I don't say that to blame her, as the travel agent is cleary the arsehole for putting clients in direct danger - her story is just a very good example why doing some additional research is an unavoidable necessity
Staying in a low budget place anywhere increases your chances of skeezy times.
She's from the UK, and didn't care enough about her destination to Google let alone read up on the culture and history, she just wanted a cheap holiday on a beach. There are plenty of closer destinations, with short/cheap flights, so pretty clear she just wanted cheap. Guess what? The cheaper you go, the more likely bad actors will be there as a coincidence or will be targeting vulnerable travellers. I've backpacked and cheaper it around several countries and it's wonderful, but you do have to be realistic about what you're paying for. Know how much to get a clean, safe room, and know that if you go cheap, leaving the hotel is best for activities. Sometimes you need a place to stay and you end up in a skeezy place, just don't be an idiot and it's usually ok. If you get creepy vibes, time to move on. If you want luxury, you have to pay for it.
Load More Replies...Always, always, always do your own research. I've been on a few solo holidays and I'd never trust a travel agent for advice, they want your money and they'll lie to get it. India, Egypt, South Africa, Middle East (and sadly many more) are extremely unsafe for female solo travellers. If anyone is looking to travel solo, please look into crime stats (all, but especially against women), reviews, others' accounts of their visit etc.
I didn't realise people still booked with travel agents. But, if there's no official warning from the state department, you don't have any recourse for a refund. Do the bare minimum of research before you travellots of websites with articles on solo female travels. I've travelled extensively and if you follow local modestly standards for dress and in areas that have them female recommended curfews, most of the world is not like the story above. I've travelled extensively solo and the only places I've been hassled to a scary degree was in Florence and Guatemala city. Buddying up in Florence helped a lot and I didn't have any issues in the rest of Guatemala. Do some research, travel somewhere else next time.
It's possible because she said stuff that could be constructed as "India bad."
Load More Replies...This sucks for OP, but did she do any research at all about where she was going to travel?
chances are less because not all places are meant for solo travelling
Load More Replies...i travel a lot on my own too but never outside of Europe so cant judge that. (been to the States many times, just never alone) If im not sure about the situation, i will ALWAYS ask local WOMEN about it. Works like a charm. (Apart from that time when i just came from Malmö, had the best time and met a woman who begged me not to go to Malmö because i would be shot, mugged, r!ped and killed. When i told her i just spend some nice days there she lost her s**t)
She's lucky that nothing more happened. In India, rape is a tolerated crime and happens everywhere, every day.
I would love to find a country where this isn't true.
Load More Replies...This is the plot of at least a dozen horror movies I've seen. In all of them, the person suggesting the location was a shill paid by the predators. (None of them ended this well.)
Research is very important. An agent just wants to sell you things. I've lived in Mumbai all my life and from experience know that some areas of the city are where you dress up more conservatively and others where you can wear crop tops and more revealing outfits. If OP went to the beach, she probably wore clothing that's appropriate for the beach from where she's from. That doesn't work everywhere in India. Unfortunately some Indian men take that as an "invite" and think the woman is "open for business." It's disgusting. For example, Mumbai has a beach too, but no one goes there to sunbathe and swim. It's filthy so if you turn up there in a bikini, you'll be harassed. Whereas if you go to Goa, it's very normal to wear a bikini on most of the beaches there. But again, that's where research comes in. India is only safe if you play it safe.
Going to a foreign country without doing your own research is negligent.
Travel agent is not responsible for your safety. A single woman in India. That's going to be a problem for sure.
single women have plenty of places to travel actually but research and a bit of street smartness is needed
Load More Replies...Finding out this happened in India was the least surprising thing ever
I don't understand why the men aren't required to be escorted by a woman or are even allowed to roam free if they can't stop themselves from raping women.
It's okay Sue: SOME of us understand your post. To the rest of you: Sue is pointing out the rampant victim-blaming around the world that requires potential victims (in this case, women) to "take precautions" not to be victimized rather than requiring potential offenders (in this case, men) to take precautions not to attack people. The fact that telling women not to go to rape-filled places seems normal to us but telling men not to rape women in those places seems alien is a clear example of victim-blaming and misogyny. The point of this just went over GA's head like a stealth bomber.
Load More Replies...I don't know who needs to hear this, but great countries for safe solo travels for women include Japan, New Zealand and Iceland.
iceland? i felt very unsafe in Reyjkjavic. Now it was 15 years ago, so i hope its better these days.
Load More Replies...You are downvoted but honestly as an Indian woman I am also smirking at them wanting to host olympics while they cant take care of the basics. They means men and government here.
Load More Replies...I fully support this woman in getting her refund and I hope that she is getting therapy for her trauma but ALSO!! Who the Hell thinks to themselves "I want to go on a safe, relaxing vacation as a single woman" and picks India?!?! She didn't Google at all? Because multiple people on Reddit would have warned her not to go to India or anywhere near that general part of Asia. For the exact things she experienced
I see that flying Turkish airlines and with transfer in Istanbul longer for 24h, you get a tour through the city for free (I believe it is also a free hotel to stay overnight). It is pretty tempting, but I resist because I would be a solo woman traveler. Even though Turkey was way better than Egypt, it is still something that I don't want to risk.
No female should ever go anywhere in the middle east, even with a group of people. This should be a story spread worldwide for all women to know.
I don't know if a country that is safe for women. 1 in 6 American women has been. The victim of an attempted or complete rape. I don't know any women who have t been harrassed. If women waited for someplace to be completely safe before we visited, you'd never meet one.
Load More Replies...I've travelled quite a bit, solo and not, in the middle east. There is light street harassment all over the region, but I only experienced something this frightening in one place (Ankara, Turkey). Luckily I was with two other women at the time. I really think the hotel was at fault in allowing men to bang on our door at all hours of the night.
I've seen videos of this, women at the beach then switch to see the "view" of the ocean and it is just a sea of men with their phones out. I have always wanted to go to India but they have some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, honestly don't think just going with a friend would be enough for me, would want to go with a native Indian friend. Given all of that, I also don't want to spend funds in areas that I feel treat women horribly either, like Dubi, seems like an amazing place to see but it feels morally wrong to financially support a place that has a horrible human rights record. Feels like supporting a system and ignoring the atrocities they commit.
Females never go to India!!! Even with someone. You will suffer sexual harassment by groups of men and strong possibility of worse.
As someone who loves outside of the US, in very grateful to you for staying there. Your parents were negligent for repeatedly putting you in a situation where you could be molested and then not doing anything about it. Predators always target the vulnerable children, and if someone looks like an immigrant they are often perceived as a lower risk target because they are often isolated socially. I'm sorry for what happened to you, but never leave America is such a weird lesson to learn from it.
Load More Replies...The only places I've gone solo traveling is Europe and North America. There are some places I will never go and to be honest, I don't care.
Even before she said the country, India was one of the first countries that I thought of. You can't rely on a travel agency to be completely honest with you, since they just want your money. When solo traveling for the first time, I chose Iceland after a lot of research because it was safe for women and they spoke English.
In the US, travel agencies are legally obligated to inform their clients about known unsafe locations at their travel destination, meaning they have a "duty to warn" customers about dangers that are not readily apparent, and could be held liable if they fail to do so; this is considered a part of their "duty of care" to clients. https://hospitalitylawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Summary-Scope-of-Duty-of-Care.pdf In other words, it is legally their fault for not warning her, not her fault for not using other research sources, and if she can prove that they failed in their duty of care, she could absolutely prosecute or sue them.
But generally just if there's a government official travel alert for a country or region.
Load More Replies...Even indian women are not safe in India... Imagine a young beautiful women tourist!!
Don't be ridiculous, 600 million women live in India and 5 million or so visit each year. They go about normal lives, have friends, visit museums, go to festivals, go on nights out, study, work, play, all the things women do outside of India. OP had a terrible time, but that happens anywhere. I got hassled and had to leave a beach in upstate new York due to a group of drunk 20 something guys being awful. I don't think people should avoid the Adirondacks. Stop clutching your pearls.
Load More Replies...I'm not trying to take away from the seriousness of this, but never, EVER, solo travel to India as a female.
I've been twice, once as a solo traveller and it was lovely. Although I really struggle with the heat/humidity at the lower altitudes and the altitude at altitude. But people were kind and funny, food and drink was amazing, history was pretty much all new to me, my schools spent no time on non-weatern history, scenery is gorgeous. Sounds like your trip was awful, but it's not representative of the country as a whole.
Load More Replies...My cousin told me years ago to NEVER EVER EVER set foot in India as a woman alone. My sister said the same about Egypt.
years ago.. i live in India and while there are issues, it is a nice place to come.. just do your research and dont trust someone just because they are nice..
Load More Replies...Aany woman should be aware that India is extremely unsafe for them.
It really depends on where you go, like any country. My travels there were fine, no more harassment than I get in New York, less than I get in Rome. There's no reason to write off an entire country, a country bigger than Europe because some places aren't good destinations.
Load More Replies...Until now India would never be on my radar if the beach was a significant factor because there are so very many good destinations east of India, as well as around the Mediterranean (figuring she's European). Just a cursory Google search tells me that common advice for India is to dress modestly (everywhere) and that it's common for women to get unwanted (or worse) attention even at popular destinations. That almost certainly means the travel agent did a terrible job, but I strongly suspect this woman didn't do nearly enough of her own research. I think that even if she went to the beach naked with a vibrator she's capable of asking if she wants an audience or assistance, but the reality is that even modest behaviors (standards depend on region and culture) that would be fine in many destinations will increase problems with many of the men in other places. Given the account of her first day, I'm really puzzled over the beer story, unless it was the person who poured or served the beer.
Indian woman here. depends on area. Some are great for tourists and some not even for indian women.. its all about research and how you deal with things. at times, i have noticed foreigners getting too trusting. they get fleeced. Also many are bagpackers and opt for cheap places.. a big no no
Load More Replies...What "hateful" speech? She was in India, therefore talking about Indian men. Am I missing something?
As a young woman you should't travel alone. Even in safe countries there are a lot of dangers. Travel with friends or in group, you don't have to stay the whole time with them, but in case of emergency you can call someone or ask for help. It is very unfair, but as a (young) woman you are very vunerable. Maybe I am pessimistic, but my granddad was an police officer and he has seen too many s**t happend to women.
Ive travelled quite a bit as a single woman and never had any issues that were bad enough to ruin trips. I think you maybe underestimate how much s**t is baseline for women in their home city/town. Honestly most places you're better off with emergency numbers than a second tourist if you're in trouble. There are more precautions to take, but many women travel solo and very few regret it. It's a big wide world.
Load More Replies...Well, she is able to use social media to get advice afterwards. Bit strange that she did not do any own research on her own before leaving. Maybe she did, and was strongly advised to not travel there in combo with the recent and constant news about how harrassment of women are seen as normal there. But maybe wanted to know better and was happy the one travel agent wanted to sell the trip. At a certain age it is more important what one person says than 100 others. Maybe she dreamt of some cool insta-photos. It too depends on the travel agency, doesn't sound like a solid one, but cheap and dodgy. What did she do on the beach? Lie in the sun in a bikini?
Indian woman here. no denying there are issues in my country. But my observation is that many tourists at times are too trusting. Sadly, we get a lot of bagpackers who live in shady places which doesnt help them. research helps big time. but i still feel bad for her
Load More Replies...I stopped reading at "India". Next time she needs to read the Travel Advisories for other countries.
I'm a tad browned off about how many people are blaming the victim. She said she specifically asked the travel agency for a safe place. Three words: small claims court.
She was stupid for not doing her own research. An estate agent is there to make sales not give you advice.
Load More Replies...The whole point of traveling solo is... being solo. Organised tours are a nightmare for anyone who enjoy traveling solo. But really, most countries are fine even for female solo travelers. If a woman can live alone somewhere, a woman can travel solo there.
Load More Replies...Ace, sounds like you are trying to blame the women, instead of the men who were harassing her, and the travel agent who kept telling her it was a safe place for a lone female to holiday.
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