Cases of Violence Against Foreign Tourists

Cases of Violence Against Foreign Tourists 

                                                                       

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. Hence data on crime against foreign tourist prior to 2014 is not available with NCRB. The total numbers of cases registered under crime against foreign tourists were 384 during 2014. This information is not available for 2015.

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 has launched the 24x7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline in 12 International Languages including Hindi & English on 8.2.2016. This service is available on the   toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 and operational 24X 7 (all days) in a year offering a “multi-lingual helpdesk” in the designated languages to provide support service in terms of providing information relating to Travel & Tourism in India to the domestic and International tourists and to assist the callers with advice on action to be taken during times of distress while travelling in India and if need be alert the concerned authorities. The languages handled by the Tourist Helpline include   ten International languages besides English and Hindi, namely, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. The calls made by tourists (both international and domestic) while in India will be free of charge.    

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)      The National Tourism Ministers’ Conference was convened on 18^th July, 2013 and 21st August 2014 in New Delhi which resolved that the Departments of Tourism of all States and UTs will work for ensuring the safety and security of tourists, especially women. The State Governments/UT Administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have deployed Tourist Police, in one form or the other.

v)   Grant of Central Financial Assistance to the State Governments of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh for setting up of Tourist Facilitation and Security Organization (TFSO) on a pilot basis.

 vi)  In the wake of some unfortunate incidents happening involving foreign tourists, Ministry of Tourism posts an advisory on its website www.incredibleindia.org.

vii)     The Ministry of Tourism has issued the Guidelines on Safety and Security of Tourists for State Governments/Union Territories and Tips for Travellers in September 2014.  These guidelines were sent to the State Governments/Union Territories and other relevant authorities to stress the importance of safety and risk management, assist in identifying best practices and encourage closer cooperation for ensuring a pleasant experience to the tourists.  The Guidelines are indicative references that may be useful to the States in sharing or adopting the best practices and design their domestic measures to better protect tourists.  In addition to these guidelines “Tips to Travellers” are also offered to make the visit of tourists to Incredible India, a memorable experience.  

            Foreign Exchange Earnings through Tourism during last two years are as follows:

Year	Foreign Exchange Earning (Rs. in Crores)
2014	1,23,320
2015	1,35,193

This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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Dr. Mahesh Sharma releases the book “the Culture Heritage of Trans Himalayas-Kinnaur” 

Dr. Mahesh Sharma , the Minister for State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism and Minister of State for Civil Aviation released a book entitled “The Culture Heritage of Trans Himalayas-Kinnaur” authored by Shri P.S. Nagi Loktus, IAS (retd.) here yesterday.

Addressing on the occasion the Minister said that 73% of Himalayas ranges are in India. Himalayan region have vast tourism potential which needs to be harnessed. Most of the rivers in our country have their origin in Himalayan region. The author has done remarkable job in highlighting the cultural heritage of Himalayan region especially of Kinnaur. This book will be very useful for research scholar and students concerned with the Cultural heritage of India.

The book, published by IGNCA under Ministry of Culture, is a study of the cultural heritage of the trans-Himalayan area of Himachal Pradesh, especially Kinnaur that involves documentation of traditional institutions like temples, monasteries, Bon chos, artefacts, forts and old dialects of various ethnic groups.