Lok Sabha Question No. 139 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Crime Against Women Foreign Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, SANJAY JAISWAL, YOGI ADITYANATH, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, T. RADHAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.139 ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## CRIME AGAINST WOMEN FOREIGN TOURISTS

139.  SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

SHRI YOGI ADITYA NATH:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been an increase in the incidents of crime against  foreign tourists  especially  women  tourists  in  the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the number  of  cases  registered during the last three years along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard to promote Indian tourism amongst foreign nationals;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any measures or proposes to set up any monitoring system in various parts of the country in view of the rise in crime against tourists especially, foreign women tourists;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard especially to counter the impression that the country is dangerous for women/tourists; and
- (e)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b):      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.

In order to promote Indian tourism amongst foreign nationals, the Ministry of Tourism, as part of its on-going activities, regularly releases  print,  electronic,  online  and  outdoor  media  campaigns  in the international markets, under the 'Incredible India' brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of India with the objective  of  increasing  foreign  tourist  arrivals  to  the  country.  The Ministry of Tourism also promotes various tourism destinations and products through its website and publicity and promotional material produced from time to time.

In addition, a series of promotional activities are undertaken in important and potential tourist generating markets overseas through  the  India  Tourism  Offices  abroad  with  the  objective  of showcasing India's tourism potential and promoting tourism to the country. These promotional activities include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising Road Shows, 'Know India' seminars  &  workshops;  organizing  and  supporting  Indian  food festivals;  publication  of  brochures,  offering  joint  advertising  and brochure  support,  and  inviting  media  personalities,  tour  operators and  opinion  makers  to  visit  the  country  under  the  Hospitality Programme of the Ministry.

Financial support is also extended  under the Marketing Development Assistance Scheme to approved service providers and State Governments/Union  Territories for promotional activities undertaken by them in the overseas markets including Sales-cumstudy tours, participation in Fairs/Exhibitions and Road Shows and production of publicity material, Sales Tours etc.

- (c) and (d): The  measures  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 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.
- (e): Does not arise.

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