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Title – Australian tourist killed in Goa
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 9th October 2008
Without any further details at this stage it would not be right to apportion any blame yet, but it does serve as a warning once again that destinations change with time and Goa has certainly seen that change; those visiting tend to continue to treat their travel as if it were still a hippy backwater.
Goa is now very much on the tourist trail and is visited by hundreds of thousands if not millions of tourists each year, no longer a sleepy backwater or throw-back to the 60’s, it has changed and with it the threat levels have changed. Where 20 years ago there was a ‘hippie’ drug scene where drugs were almost tolerated, with growth came a more organised and therefore more ruthless drug distribution network. Where organised crime takes over the ruthlessness inevitably follows as the pie grows, more people want to secure a bigger slice of that pie and are willing to do anything for it.
Add to this the influx of ‘local’ workers and migrants to service the ever growing tourist trade and it is again inevitable that tensions will follow. We must also not forget that where ‘rich’ tourist flock, thieves and criminals will also turn up to prey on richer pickings. Together it does not make for a pretty picture.
As always we must add some context to this picture. Hundreds of thousands of tourists go to Goa and have a fantastic holiday without incident, but there does seem to be an increasing number of ‘incidents’ occurring and travellers should be more careful and protect themselves and their valuables and steer well clear of any illegal activities. Don’t be fooled into thinking drugs of any kind are legal or have been decriminalised in Goa and India generally. This is a travellers myth and if anything the penalties are harsher then you will find at home, ask anyone who has seen the inside of an Indian gaol if it is worth the risk...
Also be aware that the police are starting to take a much stiffer stance against crime, but also that they are very aware of the reputation of Goa in the international community and seem willing to go a long way to protect that reputation, both by enforcing the law and in their proactive approach to investigating certain crimes without a preconceived low-profile solution being offered. That certainly seemed to be the case in the tragic case of Scarlett Keeling who was raped and killed in Goa in 2008.
When you travel you can not behave the same way you do at home and you have to accept that countries have their own laws and cultures which you have to abide by. Poor behaviour can often land you in a great deal of trouble; in some parts of the world can place you in extreme danger as respect and ‘loss of face’ is taken extremely seriously in some cultures.
At Beyond The Blue we run Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshops (GYITSA) for anyone planning to travel to any part of the world. We examine personal safety theory and techniques as well as conflict resolution skills that help provide solutions to confrontation rather than allowing them to escalate. We also provide specific Destination Advice and Cultural Awareness guidance so travellers can be prepared for all the situation they are likely to encounter on the course of their travels.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 9th October 2008
Without any further details at this stage it would not be right to apportion any blame yet, but it does serve as a warning once again that destinations change with time and Goa has certainly seen that change; those visiting tend to continue to treat their travel as if it were still a hippy backwater.
Goa is now very much on the tourist trail and is visited by hundreds of thousands if not millions of tourists each year, no longer a sleepy backwater or throw-back to the 60’s, it has changed and with it the threat levels have changed. Where 20 years ago there was a ‘hippie’ drug scene where drugs were almost tolerated, with growth came a more organised and therefore more ruthless drug distribution network. Where organised crime takes over the ruthlessness inevitably follows as the pie grows, more people want to secure a bigger slice of that pie and are willing to do anything for it.
Add to this the influx of ‘local’ workers and migrants to service the ever growing tourist trade and it is again inevitable that tensions will follow. We must also not forget that where ‘rich’ tourist flock, thieves and criminals will also turn up to prey on richer pickings. Together it does not make for a pretty picture.
As always we must add some context to this picture. Hundreds of thousands of tourists go to Goa and have a fantastic holiday without incident, but there does seem to be an increasing number of ‘incidents’ occurring and travellers should be more careful and protect themselves and their valuables and steer well clear of any illegal activities. Don’t be fooled into thinking drugs of any kind are legal or have been decriminalised in Goa and India generally. This is a travellers myth and if anything the penalties are harsher then you will find at home, ask anyone who has seen the inside of an Indian gaol if it is worth the risk...
Also be aware that the police are starting to take a much stiffer stance against crime, but also that they are very aware of the reputation of Goa in the international community and seem willing to go a long way to protect that reputation, both by enforcing the law and in their proactive approach to investigating certain crimes without a preconceived low-profile solution being offered. That certainly seemed to be the case in the tragic case of Scarlett Keeling who was raped and killed in Goa in 2008.
When you travel you can not behave the same way you do at home and you have to accept that countries have their own laws and cultures which you have to abide by. Poor behaviour can often land you in a great deal of trouble; in some parts of the world can place you in extreme danger as respect and ‘loss of face’ is taken extremely seriously in some cultures.
At Beyond The Blue we run Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshops (GYITSA) for anyone planning to travel to any part of the world. We examine personal safety theory and techniques as well as conflict resolution skills that help provide solutions to confrontation rather than allowing them to escalate. We also provide specific Destination Advice and Cultural Awareness guidance so travellers can be prepared for all the situation they are likely to encounter on the course of their travels.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.
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