Lok Sabha Question No. 122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Safety and Security of Foreign Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.122 ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017

## SAFETY AND SECURITY OF FOREIGN TOURISTS

## 122.  SHRI RAOSAHEB DANVE PATIL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  ensure  the safety and security of tourists;
- (b) whether it is a fact that due to the incidents related to safety and security of tourists the number of foreign tourists is on the decline and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has instituted any structured mechanism  to  tackle  with  the  offensive  incidents  against domestic  and  foreign  tourists  in  several  tourists  religious places in different States of the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)
- if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the details of the funds allocated and utilized for this purpose during the last two years and the current year, year/State-wise and tourist place-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a):    Ministry of Tourism has taken various measures to ensure the safety  and  security  of  tourists  including  foreign  tourists.    The details are given at Annexure.
- (b): No,  Madam.  The number  of foreign tourists arrival (FTAs) in India  has  shown  continuous  increase  in  last  three  years.    The number of FTAs in India during 2014, 2015 and 2016 are as under:

|   2014 | 7.68 million   |
|--------|----------------|
|   2015 | 8.03 million   |
|   2016 | 8.80 million   |

(c): 'Public Order'  and  'Police'  are  State  subjects  as  per  the Seventh Schedule  of the Constitution of India. As such, the prevention of crime, including crimes against tourists, is the primary responsibility of State Governments/Union Territories. (d): Does not arise. (e):  At  present,  Ministry  of  Tourism  does  not  have  any  separate scheme to allocate funds for safety and security.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.122 ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017 REGARDING SAFETY AND SECURITY OF FOREIGN TOURISTS.

Measures taken by the Ministry of Tourism to ensure the safety and security of tourists including foreign tourists.

- i) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  24x7  Toll  Free  MultiLingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages and in Hindi & English in February 2016, for  domestic  and  foreign  tourists  to  provide  support  service  in terms  of  information  relating  to  Travel  in  India  and  also  offers appropriate  guidance  to  tourists  in  distress  while  travelling  in India.
2. ii) Ministry of Tourism has launched an initiative of presenting preloaded SIM Cards at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi and Cochin Airport to foreign tourists arriving in India on eVisa with the objective of providing instant connectivity.
3. iii) A Welcome card with 'Tips to enjoy your stay' is being handed over to foreign tourists on arrival to make the visit of tourists a memorable experience.
4. iv) The State Governments/Union Territory 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) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  Social  Awareness  Media Campaigns with the objective of sensitizing stakeholders in the tourism industry as well as the masses and general public about the  importance  of  good  conduct  and  behavior  towards  tourists and to reinforce the spirit of 'Atithidevo Bhava'.
6. vi) Ministry  of  Tourism  in  the  year  2010,  has  launched  code  of conduct to be adopted by the Indian travel and tourism industry for Safe and Honourable Tourism with the objectives 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.

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 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. viii)  The Ministry of Tourism conducts a constant dialogue with State Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations,  various  tourism related  institutions  and  stakeholders  for  drawing  up  strategies for development and promotion of tourism in the country including safe and honourable Tourism. ix) Ministry of Tourism from time to time issues advisory to various State Governments and UT Administration to ensure safety and security of the tourist.

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