American YouTuber Claims He Got Sick In India Despite Eating At Only 5-Star Hotels

Last Updated:July 28, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

YouTuber Tyler Oliveira faced backlash for generalising India’s hospitality and lifestyle after falling sick.

An American YouTuber’s claim that he got sick in India despite eating only at five-star hotels caused a stir on the Internet amongst Indians, who accused him of defaming the country. Tyler Oliveira, a 25-year-old US-based YouTuber, sparked debates after saying he got ill on his visit to the subcontinent country despite paying for meals at luxurious hotels.

Oliveira’s remarks were made in response to an Indian influencer after she had alleged that foreign travellers of propagating negative stereotypes about the nation. In a viral video, Twinkle Stanly lashed out against travellers who visit unhygienic locations due to a lack of information and awareness and end up throwing brickbats at India for the shortcomings they had experienced.

Stanly’s clip also addressed foreign travellers’ tendency to romanticise poverty in India by actively seeking underprivileged locations and how the same travellers then go on to disparage India as a “pathetic” country after encountering troubles.

Offering a counterpoint to the lady’s clip, Oliveira shared his own ordeal and said calling out India’s shortcomings shouldn’t be considered an act of racism: “During my trip to India, I ONLY ate in 5-star hotels and still contracted 4 types of Salmonella. The hotel sourced its eggs from a filthy chicken farm right next to a literal mountain of trash. There are serious hygiene issues that must be addressed in India. It is NOT racist to address the poor quality of life most Indians are subjected to while the upper caste insulates itself from reality.”

Backing his concern, Oliveira responded to a user by noting that the five-star hotels he stayed at cost around USD 100 per night, which, while budget-friendly for him as an American tourist, would be luxurious and too expensive for most Indians. Oliveira then also shared the medical proof of his bout with illness. But as the US traveller’s post spread among Indians on Twitter, he only further received a backlash. Many criticised Oliveira for painting the wrong image of India’s hospitality and overall lifestyle.

Amidst the flood of comments, some pointed out that similar incidents occur with travellers in 5-star hotels of other countries as well, while others attributed his issues to a sensitive stomach. A user summed up the other side of the argument, writing: “Look, your salmonella sob story doesn’t prove India’s got some unique hygiene crisis. Bad eggs can come from anywhere—it happens in the U.S., Europe, you name it. You’re acting like five-star hotels in India are uniquely incompetent, but global supply chains are messy everywhere. That “filthy farm” you’re whining about? It could just as easily be a shady supplier for a Western hotel. You’ve got no data, just a grudge.”

“You’re blaming India’s hygiene issues for your salmonella while ignoring the fact that five-star hotels anywhere can screw up food safety. You think fancy hotels guarantee clean eggs? Please. Those places cut corners just like anywhere else—sourcing from sketchy farms isn’t unique to India. You’re cherry-picking a single bad experience to dunk on an entire country’s hygiene standards,” commented another user.

Buzz Staff

A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

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