India adopts code for safe tourism

The Union ministry of tourism announced a Code of Conduct for Safe and Honourable Tourism on Thursday, two months later than it had promised.

The code will not be binding on any hotel, tour operator or tourism industry participant. The ministry will only promote on its website such entities that adopt the code.

In November 2009, the ministry announced that an action plan was being drawn up to ensure that a code of conduct is in place within six months. It?s been two months since the deadline expired.

Sources said that the ministry had been functioning without a joint secretary since mid-2009, when joint secretary Leena Nandan was transferred to the I&B ministry.

The code, the first of its kind, was released ahead of the Commonwealth Games by Tourism Minister Kumari Selja. It aims at strengthening safety and ensuring that Indian tourism follows international standards of safe tourism practices, applicable for both tourists and local residents.

These are guidelines to encourage tourism with respect for basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, said Selja. The code also recommends stringent measures against involuntary drug abuse, manipulated and incorrect information, cultural and social intolerance that increases vulnerability to crime.