India outlines measures for tourist safety

The Indian government has announced a series of measures intended to ensure the safety of tourists to the country.

India has developed an unwelcome reputation in recent years, as being an unsafe destination – especially for female travellers. As part of its bid to improve its safety record and its international image, the government has announced five action points, through which it hopes to keep visitors safe.

The Ministry of Tourism has set up the ‘Incredible India Help Line’ for tourists, which will soon be rolled out in multiple languages, and a travel advisory has been posted on the Incredible India website.

A new ‘Code of Conduct for Safe and Honourable Tourism’ has also been developed. According to the ministry, this provides 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”.

All chief ministers of state governments have been asked to take “immediate effective steps for ensuring a conducive and friendly environment for all tourists”, and a new set of guidelines on tourist safety has been circulated to all state governments. The guidelines also include ‘tips for travellers’.

The Indian Ministry of Tourism said it does not compile data on crimes, including crime against tourists. But several incidents, including the rape of female tourists in India, have been well documented by international media.

sourced:traveldailymedia.com