States asked to deploy 'tourist police' for visitors' safety

In the wake of the recent rape of a woman by a taxi driver in Delhi, the tourism ministry Tuesday advised state governments and union territories to ensure safety and security of tourists by deploying 'tourist police' at prominent spots.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said they have asked states to deploy tourist police at prominent spots.

"The governments and union territories of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have deployed tourist police in one form or the other," he said.

The ministry along with all stakeholders, including the tourism departments of all states and union territories, has adopted a "code of conduct for safe and honourable tourism", a set of guidelines to encourage safe travel, he said.

"This set of guidelines is to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect for basic right like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular women and children," he said.