MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the table of the Lok Sabha.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 269 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2015 REGARDING CRIME AGAINST FOREION TOURISTS.
(a) & (b): The specific information regarding crimes against foreign tourists especially women tourists is not maintained by National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs. However, the steps taken by Ministry of Tourism to ensure the safety and security of tourists including foreign tourists are as below:
i) The Ministry of Tourism, on a pilot basis, has set up the ‘Incredible India Help Line’ to guide the tourists.
ii) 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.
iii) 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.
iv) In the wake of some unfortunate incidents involving foreign tourists, Ministry of Tourism has also posted an advisory on its website www.incredibleindia.org.
v) 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:
# Precautions to be taken during pre-travel arrangements.
# Travel information on calamities/situations by the State Government.
# Identifying, locating tourists in times of emergency.
# Government communication and inter agency coordination.
# Regulations of service providers (Transport Services,Accommodation Sector).
# Regulating leisure and recreational services including adventure sports.
# Address insolvenies and dispute settlement.
# Enforcement.
(c) The number of foreign tourists visiting India from across the world has not fallen drastically, the details of number of foreign tourist who visited India during the last three years, country-wise is given in the enclosed statement.
(d) The measures taken by the Government to boost flow of foreign tourist into the country inter alia include:
(i) Launch of Tourist Visa on Arrival Enabled by Electronic Travel Authorization for citizens of 44 Countries.
(ii) Promotion of the destination through the Incredible India Campaign across the globe.
(iii) Participation in major International Tourism & Travel Fairs & Exhibitions.
(iv) Organising Road Shows to promote tourism destinations and products of country in major tourist source markets in collaboration with stake holders.
(v) Development and promotion of `Niche Tourism` products.
(vi) Creating an increased pool of trained man power in Hospitality & Tourism sectors for delivery of quality service to the tourist.
(vii) Organising International Buddhist Conclave once in 2 years to show case the Buddhist Heritage and International Tourism Mart for showcasing the torirism potential of North East being held every year.
