American travel influencer Tara Katims has come under fire for promoting a controversial tour during her recent visit to India. Katims shared a video with her followers showing how to spend 72 hours in Mumbai. While her itinerary included iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the backwaters of Kerala, along with attending Pilates class, going clubbing and a cooking lesson, it was her trip to the Dharavi slum in Mumbai that left social media users outraged. Dharavi is known as one of the world’s largest slums. After the snippet of her exploration went viral, many accused her for exploiting poverty for tourism and glamorising the struggles of those living in the slums. Meanwhile, these slum tours are common, organised by locals, who charge something from Rs 700 to Rs 1000.
In a TikTok video circulating on X (Formerly Twitter), Katims trip begins by visiting Delhi but expresses disappointment, claiming the city is polluted and there are safety concerns. She highlights that there are emergency buttons in taxis due to harassment risks. Despite this, she suggests that living in South Delhi is safer and praises the affordability of custom clothing. The video then features her trips to Agra and Kerala. In the final seconds of the clip, Katims discusses her tour of the slums in Mumbai, praising the hosts and claiming that it was the best way to learn about the city. However, despite her appreciation, social media users criticised her for focusing on the country’s poorer side rather than exploring more developed areas that are often overlooked.
im sorry did this woman just say that she went on a “slums tour” ????? pic.twitter.com/aYyFwUOluI— kp (@earthlykisssed) March 16, 2024
A user expressed frustration and criticised the western tourist for their obsession with poverty in India.
whites and their obsession with poverty in india— prags. (@OyyeHoyyeBasket) March 16, 2024
Another highlighted the various realities of India and claimed that while there are poor, there are also developed areas.
Really that’s all you have to showcase about India?Yes there overload of everything, culture, growth, garbage.You find extremes everywhere, extreme developed cities and extreme mismanagement as well.But you know there’re two sides of coin for this developing and growing nation— Sarabjit (@Sarabjit_cse) March 20, 2024
An individual pointed out that while there are slums in Mumbai, they do not represent the whole country, as they’re in minority.
ohh God I’m so fed up with white people’s obsession to show poverty in India.and a small portion of people in mumbai live in slums, not most people. get your facts right pls— baz (@daltadkaparcel) March 21, 2024
A user criticising the influencer, questioned the motivation behind seeking fame through showing poverty and people living in slums don’t need their support.
Shame on you. Why don’t you mention how British and other colonial people looted country so badly and responsible for such situation. Why you want a fame for filming or watching poorness of people. They are happy with their life they don’t want attention from heartless people— Sujit (@sujitsgawand) March 21, 2024
Reportedly, in a separate video, Tara Katims defended her decision to take the slum tour and explained that the tour operator’s intention was to challenge the negativity associated with growing up in the slums. She claimed that individuals from these areas often face discrimination during employment and according to the influencer; the profits generated from the tours are given to the community. Katims argued that while many visitors may choose to focus on the picturesque locations of India, it’s important to see the reality of how some people in Mumbai live.
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