Harassment of Female Tourists
Ministry of Tourism does not compile the data on crimes, against tourists/foreign tourists including women visiting India. However, in order to ensure safety and security of tourists, Ministry of Tourism has advised all the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to deploy Tourist Police in the States/Union Territories, some of the State Governments have deployed tourist police, in one form or the other.
Further, the guidelines for formation of Tourist Security Organization (s) comprising ex-servicemen, formulated by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in consultation with the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home and Directorate General of Resettlements have been forwarded to the State Governments/UT Administrations.
In addition, the Union Ministry of Tourism, along with stakeholders including Regional Level Tourist Guides licensed by Ministry of Tourism, has adopted the Code of conduct for “Safe & Honourable Tourism” which is a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect for basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular, women and children.
At present there is no proposal under consideration in the Ministry of Tourism. However, a website www.indiatouristguide.org has been launched through which tourists can obtain details of licensed tourist guides (including female guides) and book their services.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism, Shri Sultan Ahmed in a written reply to Shri Ishwarlal Shankarlal Jain in Rajya Sabha today.
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Samir/kd