Tourism conference focuses on security of foreign visitors

Security of foreign visitors and improving facilities to boost India's image as a tourist- friendly country were the main focus of the tourism ministers' conference held here today.
In the wake of the country getting negative publicity over incidents of crime against foreign tourists, it was decided in the conference that all states and union territories will have tourism police. Those which do not have it will set up the force by taking officials on deputation from police and engaging ex-servicemen and home guards.
The conference, which was attended by 23 tourism ministers and high-ranking officials from 12 states and UTs, also passed a resolution aimed at making the country safer for tourists, especially women.

"In case of assault on any tourist, states will ensure immediate post-traumatic help to the victim, respecting their privacy," the resolution said.
The ministers also decided to establish proper toilet facilities along roads leading to important destinations, utilising the existing infrastructure like petrol pumps, dhabas and panchayat bhawans.
State tourism departments would rope in local bodies for cleanliness measures and take steps to make tourism destinations beggar free.
Terming the meet, as "historic", Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said, "We met to evolve strategies. I never expected such a response."
The ministry had yesterday said it will encourage people involved in the tourism sector to wear badges with the slogan 'I respect women'.