- Tourism Ministry works with states, UTs to strengthen tourist safety.
- 24/7 multilingual tourist helpline launched at 1-800-111363.
- Online system introduced for accommodation classification applications.
INDIA’S MINISTRY OF Tourism is working with state governments and union territory administrations to strengthen safety measures for tourists. The ministry encourages states and UTs to establish tourist police units to improve on-ground safety.
Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh, deployed tourist police to assist and protect travelers, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
The ministry is also urging states and UT administrations to use the “Safe Tourism Destination for Women” initiative under the Nirbhaya Fund, he said. The scheme supports projects to improve the safety of women travelers at tourism destinations.
In collaboration with tourism stakeholders and state tourism departments, the Ministry adopted the “Code of Conduct for Safe and Honorable Tourism.” The guidelines promote responsible tourism and safeguard the dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of tourists and local communities, particularly women and children.
To support travelers, the ministry established a 24/7 multilingual tourist helpline accessible through toll-free number 1-800-111363 or short code 1363, Shekhawat said. The helpline provides assistance in 12 languages, including 10 international languages, offering travel information and guidance to tourists in distress.
The ministry also introduced an online system to receive and process applications for classification of accommodation units and recognition of tourism service providers. Applications can be submitted through the National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry portal, integrated with an online payment gateway to improve transparency, accountability and service delivery.
Improving connectivity to tourism destinations has also been a priority, the Minister said. The Ministry of Tourism is working with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to strengthen air connectivity to established and emerging tourism destinations. Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, RCS-UDAN, the ministry supports 53 tourism routes by sharing viability gap funding.
Shekhawat recently said medical travel in India is projected to reach $13 billion by 2026, up from $6 billion in 2022, driven by India’s clinical capabilities and the integration of modern medicine with traditional wellness systems.
