The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has stepped up its effort to provide adequate security to foreign tourists. Replying to a question in Lower House of Parliament, Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism (I/C), Culture (I/C) and Civil Aviation, said that the Ministry of Tourism, on a pilot basis, has set up the ‘Incredible India Help Line’ to guide the tourists. Moreover, all the Chief Ministers of the State 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. The Ministry has also posted an advisory on its website www.incredibleindia.org.
Sharma stated that 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. During the year 2014, as per the information regarding states/UTs, there are 129 cases under the category “Assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty” including cases registered, cases charge sheeted, cases convicted, persons arrested, persons charge sheeted and persons convicted under crime against foreign tourists.
Similarly 86 cases were reported under the category “Rape” including cases registered, cases charge sheeted, cases convicted, persons arrested, persons charge sheeted and persons convicted. Finally, 8 cases were registered under the category “Insult to the modesty of women” including cases registered, cases charge sheeted, cases convicted, persons arrested, persons charge sheeted and persons convicted under crimes against foreign tourists during the year 2014.
The major countries from where the arrival of foreign women tourists was on decline during the year 2014 are Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey, Afghanistan, Japan and Republic of Korea.
