Aiming to ensure international standards of safe tourism practices, Government has finalised an action plan for an aggressive awareness campaign in certain “vulnerable” destinations in the country, including training programmes for service providers.
To begin with, five “most vulnerable” places for tourist exploitation in the country would be selected for spreading awareness among service privides including guides, tour operators, hoteliers, auto and taxi drivers.
“The five places which are more prone to crime involving tourists in drug abuse, immoral traffic, child abuse, cheating and other similar crimes will be identified shortly for launching a sustained campaign promoting safe and honourable tourism,” said a senior Tourism Ministry official.
The areas like Pahargunj in Delhi and certain tourist places in Goa, Kerala and North-East are likely to be identified in the first phase for a focussed awareness campaign involving service providers.
The ministry has already finalised the code of conduct for safe and honourable tourism to check prostitution, sex tourism and involuntary drug use among other things.
Seeking a proactive role of service providers, the Ministry decided to involve auto and taxi drivers, guest house owners, policemen, guides and tour operators to prevent unethical practices in tourism sector.
“We have decided to conduct a short-term five-day training programmes for service providers to sensitise them about the safe and honourable tourism,” said the official, adding, “the module of the tarining capsule would be ready shortly”.
The code of conduct for safe and honourable tourism is applicable to all employees of the travel and tour sector including hotels, restaurants, lodges, guest houses, tour agents, entertainment establishments.
In addition, it is also applicable on service providers like event management organisations, entertainment providers, transport operators and other services or agencies associated with tourism sector.
“The ministry is very sensitive and committed towards promotion of sustainable safe and honourable tourism and is concerned utmost about safety and security of tourists in the country,” said the official, adding “our effort is to promote India as a 365—day destination.”
“We are planning more India festivals abroad showcasing our destinations along with related sectors like handicraft, textile, jewellery and cuisine,” he said.