Lok Sabha Question No. 4130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Travel Advisory by US
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, SUDHEER GUPTA, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4130 ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## TRAVEL ADVISORY BY US

## 4130. KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  USA  has  issued  a  new  travel  advisory  for  its citizens visiting India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of Impact is likely to be on tourism industry as well as foreign exchange;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  taken  up  the  matter  with  USA Government in this regard and if so, the outcome thereto; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to make India a safer destination for foreign tourists?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): No, Madam. The Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings issued by the US Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs, do not include any new travel advisory on India.
- (c) and (d):  Does not arise.
- (e): Details of steps taken/being taken by the Government to make India a safer destination for foreign tourists is placed at Annexure. ********

## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4130 ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017 REGARDING TRAVEL ADVISORY BY US.

In  order  to  ensure  the  safety  and  security  of  tourists  including foreign  tourists,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  the  following steps:

- The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  24x7  Toll  Free Multi-Lingual Tourist  Helpline in 12 Languages including 10 international languages and in Hindi & English on 8.2.2016. This service is available on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 and operational 24X7 365 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
- i. authorities.
- ii. Ministry of Tourism has advised all the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to deploy Tourist  Police  in  the  States/Union  Territories.  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.  In  addition,  the  Union  Ministry  of Tourism along with States/UT administrations, stakeholders has taken the following measure to ensure the safety of the tourists:
- a. Adoption of code of conduct by the Indian travel and tourism  industry  for  Safe  and  Honourable  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.
- b. 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.
- iii. As  part of its  international  TV  Campaign  2016-17,  the Ministry  of  Tourism  aired  TVCs  showcasing  single  woman tourist travelling through different parts of the country.
- iv. The Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India launched the initiative of providing pre-loaded Sim Card to foreign tourists arriving in India on e-Visa on 15.2.2017 on pilot basis in Delhi Airport. This  initiative  is  aimed  at  providing  connectivity  to foreign  tourists  to  enable  them  to  stay  in  touch  with  their near and dear ones and also help them to contact with the 24x7 Multi lingual toll free helpline of Ministry of Tourism for any assistance and guidance during times of distress/medical emergency, etc.

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