24×7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline
New Delhi (PIB News): The safety and security of tourists is essentially a State Government subject. However, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is well aware of the security concerns of the tourists and has taken all possible measures to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for the tourists. The setting up of a 24×7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline is one such step to ensure the security of the tourists.
In the past, the Ministry of Tourism, the Government of India has taken up the matter with all the State government/Union Territory (UT) Admins and has reiterated the aspect of providing a safe and secure environment to tourists. In case any such untoward incident occurs against a tourist, there should be a robust system of law & order to handle the situation and provide a satisfactory solution to the affected tourists.
With the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the State Governments/UT Administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh have deployed tourist police in one form or the other.
The Central Ministry of Tourism conducted a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), an autonomous institute under its control, to understand the requirements of tourist police and sensitize the tourist police so created towards the needs of the tourists. Ministry of Tourism, Government of India forwarded a copy of this Study report titled “Functioning of Tourist Police in States/Union Territories (UTs) & Documentation of Best Practices” to all the State governments/UT Administration, with the request to create a separate unit of police in the respective States/UTs and also to sensitize them about the needs of the tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has been seeking the support of the Ministry of Home Affairs to take up the matter with the State Governments.
To develop a comprehensive framework, the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) commissioned a study on the Tourist Police Scheme. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has organised a National Conference of DGs/IGs of the Police Department of the State/UT Administration on 19th October 2022 at New Delhi to implement the uniform Tourist Police Scheme at the pan India level.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has set up a 24×7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll-free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic), Hindi and English for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in term of information relating to Travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress while travelling in India.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India 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 rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular, women and children.
This information was given by Shri G. Kishan Reddy, the Minister of Tourism, Government of India, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. It is to be noted that the Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Parliament of India.
The prioritizing of tourist safety is not just about protecting individuals; it’s about upholding human rights, ensuring economic prosperity, and fostering positive social interactions. The safety of tourists is important for a variety of reasons. It is a shared responsibility to ensure that tourism is a positive and safe experience for everyone involved.
