Female travellers avoiding India

The number of female travellers visiting India has fallen by almost 35 percent over the past three months, according to a new study, which found global coverage of recent sex attacks has tainted the destination’s image.

The first of the attacks made headlines in December, with the fatal gang-rape of a 23 year old Indian student on a bus in New Delhi, this was quickly followed by the alleged drug and rape of a South Korean tourist during her visit in January and then the gang-rape of a Swiss cyclist in Madhya Pradesh last month, Business Insider Australia reported.

The stream of attacks against women has sparked outrage against the country’s treatment of women, an issue the Association Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) says has contributed to the 25 percent dip year-on-year in overall tourism.

“There is a decline whenever any such incident takes place," Indian Association of Tours Operators executive director Gour Kanjilal told the AFP.
"Tourism becomes the first casualty.”

The drop in tourism comes as the country’s government launched a new “Incredible India” campaign, designed to increase the number of international tourists.

Sourced : Etravel Black Board