MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.
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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*308 ANSWERED ON 21.12.2015 REGARDING TOURISM.
(a): The Foreign Exchange Earnings through tourism in India during 2013, 2014 and January – November, 2015 were Rs.1,07,671 Crore, Rs.1,23,320 Crore and Rs.1,12,958 Crore, respectively. Ministry of Tourism does not compile the information on revenue generated through domestic/foreign tourists in India.
(b): The Ministry of Tourism does not compile the data regarding crime against foreign or domestic tourists. However, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs has started collecting data on crime against foreign tourists since 2014. The State/UT-wise total number of cases registered under crime against foreigners during 2014 are given in Annexure.
(c): In order to ensure safety and security of tourists, including foreign tourists, the Ministry of Tourism has taken following steps:
i. The Ministry of Tourism, on a pilot basis, has set up the ‘Incredible India Help Line’ to guide the tourists.
ii. Grant of Central Financial Assistance to Government of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh for setting up of Tourist Facilitation and Security Organisation (TFSO) on a pilot basis.
iii. Adoption of code of conduct for Safe and Hon’ble Tourism, which contains a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect to basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular women and children.
iv. All the Chief Ministers of the State Governments and Administrators of Union Territory Administrations have been asked to take immediate effective steps for ensuring a conducive and friendly environment for all tourists and also request them to publicize the steps being taken/proposed to be taken to increase the sense of security amongst the present/prospective visitors and also to counter the negative publicity, if any.
v. In the wake of some unfortunate incidents involving foreign tourists, Ministry of Tourism has also posted an advisory on its website www.incredibleindia.org indicating that India remains safe destination for international Tourists.
vi. Guidelines on Safety & Security of Tourist for State Governments/Union Territories and Tips for Travellers have been formulated in August 2014 and circulated to all State Governments and Union Territories. These guidelines have been issued with an objective to help/provide direction to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations in formulating guidelines for tourists safety and security. The guidelines also includes ‘tips for travelers’ and cover the following:
a. Precautions to be taken during pre-travel arrangements.
b. Travel information on calamities/situations by the State Government.
c. Identifying, locating tourists in times of emergency.
d. Government communication and inter agency coordination.
e. Regulations of service providers (Transport Services, Accommodation Sector). Regulating leisure and recreational services including adventure sports.
f. Address insolvencies and dispute settlement.
g. Enforcement.
(d): ‘Public Order’ and ‘Police’ are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. As such, the prevention of crime, including crimes against tourists, is the primary responsibility of State Governments/Union Territories. In order to ensure safety and security of tourists, including foreign tourists, Ministry of Tourism has advised all the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to deploy Tourist Police in the States/Union Territories. The State Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have deployed Tourist Police in one form or the other.
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