Lok Sabha Question No. 2662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Travel Advisory
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2662 ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## TRAVEL ADVISORY

## †2662. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  some  countries  including  Russia  has  struck  India from  the  list of safe travel destinations  for its citizens recently;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with its likely impact on the tourism industry in India;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  up  the  matter  with  the Russian Government;
- (d)
- if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (e) the other 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) and (b): No,  Madam.  Important  source  markets  like  USA, Germany,  Canada,  France,  Australia  including  Russia  have  not struck India from the list of safe travel destinations for its citizens. However,  some  countries  have  advised  their  citizens  to  exercise caution while travelling to some parts of India.

As  regards  the  impact  on  the  tourism  industry,  there  is  a continuous increase in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India in the recent past.

The number of FTAs during 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

|   Year |    FTAs |
|--------|---------|
|   2011 | 6309222 |
|   2012 | 6577745 |
|   2013 | 6967601 |
|   2014 | 7679099 |
|   2015 | 8027133 |

(c) and (d):

(e): India a safer destination for foreign tourists is placed at Annexure.

Does not arise. Details of steps taken/being taken by the Government to make

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2662 ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016 REGARDING TRAVEL ADVISORY.

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

- i. The Ministry of Tourism has launched the 24x7 Toll Free MultiLingual  Tourist  Helpline  in  12  languages  including  Hindi  & English on 08.02.2016. 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 18th  July,  2013  and  21st  August  2014  in  New  Delhi  which
5. 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 has posted an advisory on its website www.incredibleindia.org for the safety and security of women tourists.
- 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.
- viii. Issue of Welcome Card to all international tourists arriving at 9 e-tourist visa designated international airports in the country.

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