Fourteen states have deployed tourists police, says Union Tourism Minister
Fourteen states have deployed tourist police in one form or other, Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons informed Rajya Sabha. Listing out the measures taken by his Ministry to ensure the tourists' safety, Alphons said it had launched 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline in 12 languages in February 2016. It was launched to provide support to tourists in terms of information relating to traveling in India.
'Athithi Devo Bhava' social awareness campaigns introduced
"The 'Atithi Devo Bhava' social awareness campaigns have been introduced by the Ministry of Tourism with the objective of sensitizing the stakeholders and the general public about various social awareness themes," Alphons said. "An advisory has been posted on the Ministry of Tourism website, www.incredibleindia.org, indicating that India remains a safe destination for international tourists, including women," he added.
Security of tourists was a state subject
The security of tourists was a state subject, the Minister said, adding that however, the Ministry of Tourism, in consultation with the state governments and Union Territory administrations, had proposed to set up tourist police units at prominent tourist spots in the country.
