Ensure safety of tourists, Centre tells state govts

Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja, in a letter to chief ministers of all the states and Union Territories, has appealed to them to ensure the implementation of the Code of Conduct for “safe and honourable” tourism.

While the Centre has already adopted the Code of Conduct, Selja has said the initiative will not be a success unless there is proactive participation of the state governments and UT administrations, apart from all the stakeholders at various tourist destinations. The letter says the Centre will provide any financial, technical or other support for such initiatives.

The Code of Conduct, Selja said,  prevents stray incidents of child abuse, illegal human trafficking and drug abuse reported from some destinations in the country. The code is a set of guidelines to be voluntary adopted and aims to strengthen the critical aspects of safety.