Although India's rich food and lively culture have long drawn tourists from all over the world, many Western travellers may find the country's loud atmosphere to be problematic. Recently, a Japanese tourist shared their experience, complaining about the loud music and continuous honking. The foreigner described the noise as "overwhelming" but praised the food and the hospitality of the locals. They observed that the music and fireworks enhance the sensory overload, making even far-off weddings seem like they're taking place right next door. The traveller acknowledged that "due to the overstimulation," the noise level was so high that they ended up crying in their hotel room.

More people are exposed to more noise in a world that is urbanizing and growing quickly. According to several World Health Organization reports, the most recent of which was published in 2018, rising decibel levels are one of the biggest environmental hazards to human health. This is especially true in the developing world's high-density, exploding megacities, where the noise of urban growth is particularly relentless. According to the reports, noise damages the body in more ways than just hearing, including sleep patterns, brain development, and cardiovascular health.

Constant honking and sound pollution - Through the lens of the experience of the Japanese Tourist

The traveller posted on Reddit, saying, "I will say that I like India." The food is delicious; steamed buns with rajma and peas are one of my favourites. The majority of people are helpful when you ask for help, and I was able to purchase lovely Indian dresses at a fair price. It's difficult to be here, though. The atmosphere is so overwhelming and constantly loud. There have been occasions when the overstimulation has caused me to cry in my room. If someone is having a wedding far away, I can hear the music and firecrackers as if they were happening right next to me because the music is so loud. They are also unrelenting. It feels like total sensory overload because the honks are practically always blaring, especially from the trucks. Minor festivals have been celebrated on the roads, where people have blocked traffic and played loud music and drums. All I want is for it to be quieter. However, since I'm only a visitor, I have to adapt to the nation. I'm not trying to be impolite," the traveller continued.

At a weighted average of 85 dB, which is roughly as loud as heavy traffic, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) advises against working for more than eight hours every day. Every three dB increase in volume results in a halving of the recommended exposure limit, which is cumulative. Therefore, if someone listens to 88-decibel music during their half-hour commute and then spends an hour and a half with friends at a local bar that has 91-decibel music, they will reach that danger threshold even if they work in a very quiet place, like a library. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sound that reaches 120 dB, such as oxygen tank clangs, can destroy tiny hair cells in the inner ear, causing nearly immediate hearing damage.

Even when sleeping, the Japanese visitor pointed out that wearing earplugs all the time is not a practical solution. They debated whether to find more peaceful locations to explore in India or to just accept the circumstances. In order to avoid crowded tourist destinations, such as well-known hill stations, the person has now made plans to travel to locations like Himachal Pradesh, Rishikesh, Ladakh, and portions of northeastern India. As the posts were shared on Reddit, they gained a lot of attention and here are some responses to the post, "I can't imagine growing up in such a quiet, clean, and orderly country like Japan and moving to India," one user commented in response to the post. It's a crazy contrast.

"Not surprised," said another. There are nearly a billion and a half of us in this noisy but magnificent nation. Earplugs are a part of the experience, in my opinion. Another said, "When I was a kid, I used to get panic attacks when I was stuck in a frustrating traffic jam or during fireworks that lasted all night during Diwali." I'm just accustomed to the chaos now.""We are sorry for the experience you had, but unfortunately, that is the reality of India," one person shared. I'm hoping that we'll be able to alter it in the future.

Decoding the impact of noise pollution on overall tourism in India

According to a 2016 position statement from the American Academy of Nursing, "noise exposure has been shown to contribute to heart disease, stroke, tinnitus, hearing loss, anxiety, stress, depression, learning difficulties, job performance, sleep disorders, and reduced cognitive abilities." "Noise is a public health hazard, not just an annoyance." Studies from India and other developing nations are demonstrating higher rates of hearing loss in high-noise occupations, even though the majority of research on noise and health originates from Europe and North America. For example, a study of 150 traffic police officers in the northern city of Jammu was published in 2015 by the Indian Journal of Community Health. In a different study, 80 out of 88 traffic cops tested positive for hearing loss in Vadodara, the third-biggest city in Gujarat, a state in northwest India. Additionally, in a small 2018 study, researchers in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India, evaluated the hearing of thirty autorickshaw drivers and identified twenty-three of them as having hearing loss.

Noise pollution affects tourism by having a detrimental impact on the destination's and the industry's financial performance and competitiveness. In addition to lowering the demand, supply, and quality of tourism-related goods and services, noise can also hurt the earnings, employment, and profits of tourism-related businesses and stakeholders. Additionally, noise can lower the industry's potential for innovation and investment appeal while raising the costs of operations, upkeep, and regulations. Furthermore, noise can jeopardize the long-term advantages and opportunities of tourism for the destination and its residents, as well as the social and environmental sustainability of tourism development.

Conclusion

The Japanese visitor's account of her experiences visiting well-known Indian locations and appreciating the beauty and diversity of Indian culture, along with her acknowledgement of the difficulties she faced because of noise barriers, calls for us to change the way we handle noise pollution. In addition to facing fines, penalties, or sanctions for breaking the destination's noise regulations, tourism businesses and operators may also have trouble comprehending, implementing, and keeping an eye on them. They can also offer advice on noise awareness, education, or communication campaigns, as well as on insulation, masking, or noise control methods. In doing so, environmental services can assist tourism operators and businesses in improving the sustainability, safety, and quality of their tourism-related goods and services as well as the happiness, health, and well-being of their visitors and residents.

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