Lok Sabha Question No. 385 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Security of Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas, Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†385 ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## SECURITY OF TOURISTS

## †385. SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the incidents of loot and misbehaviour with tourists have been rising in india;
- (b) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to check such incidents;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  enforce  any  law  or formulate any policy for security of the tourists; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a): The Ministry of Tourism does not compile data on increasing number of crime against tourists.

The 'Public Order' and 'Police' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. As such, safety and security of  tourists,  both  domestic  and  foreign  tourists,  is  the  primary responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territories.

- (b) to (d): Yes  Sir,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  following steps  in  order  to  ensure  safety  and  security  of  tourists,  including foreign tourists:
- (i) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  along  with  all  stakeholders, including the Tourism Departments of all States and UTs, have 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  right  like  dignity,  safety  and  freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents in particular, women and children.
- (ii) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  24x7  MultiLingual  Tourist  Info-Helpline  on  the  toll  free  number 1800111363  or  on  a  short  code  1363  in  12  Languages including  10  international  language,  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.
- (iii) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  issued  the  Guidelines  on Safety and Security of Tourists for State Governments/Union  Territories  and  Tips  for  travelers  in September  2014  to  stress  on  the  importance  of  safety and risk management, assist in identifying best practices and encourage closer cooperation for ensuring a pleasant experience to the tourists.
- (iv) The Security of tourists is a State Government subject, however,  with  efforts  of  Ministry  of  Tourism,  the  State Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations  of  Delhi, Goa,  Himachal  Pradesh,  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  Karnataka, Kerala,  Maharashtra,  Odisha,  Punjab,  Madhya  Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan  and  Andhra  Pradesh  have deployed the tourists police in one form or the other.
- (v) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  conducts  a  constant  dialogue with State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, various tourism related institutions for   development and promotion  of  tourism  in  the  country  including  safe  and honourable Tourism.

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