Tourism ministry to launch helpline, welcome card for tourists

The much awaited helpline for tourists and 'Welcome Card' for foreign visitors will be launched by the Tourism Ministry tomorrow along with various other initiatives.

The bi-lingual helpline number 1800-111-363 will be made operational by Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma, as part of Good Governance Day celebrations.

The helpline service is being operational in two languages- Hindi and English to begin with, later on the service will be available in 10 international languages including Russian, German, French and Spanish, said a senior Tourism ministry official.

There was a need for the all-India Helpline number and the ministry was keen to provide the same in backdrop of harassment and fleecing of tourists in the hands of touts and other unscrupulous elements.

A tourist (domestic/foreigner) can call the number from anywhere now if he or she wants to lodge any complaint or know about any particular tourism site, said the official.

Ministry will also launch a Welcome Card, a first of its kind, for overseas tourists.
"The card will be given to foreign visitors after their arrival at the international airports," he said.

The Welcome Card will contain details of various emergency numbers as well as the helpline number for tourists.

"Namaste, Welcome to Incredible India. We are delighted to have you as our guest", the card will carry this message.

Sharma after taking over as Tourism minister had promised to ensure safety and security of tourists particularly foreigners.

"We want to provide end-to-end service to tourists", he had said.
Ministry will also launch e-ticketing for the Taj Mahal and Humayun Tomb.
"Now one can book entry tickets for Taj Mahal and Humayun Tomb online through IRCTC website," said a senior IRCTC official.

IRCTC in coordination with Tourism Ministry is launching the e-ticketing project.
"We are beginning with the Taj and the Humayun Tomb later on more ASI protected monuments will be covered under the e-ticketing project," said the official.

E-ticketing will not only save the time of a tourist by not standing in the queue, it will also improve the entry fee collection, as it aims to prevent leakage of revenue.

In order to keep the monuments clean ministry will launch 'Swachh Smarak, Swachh Bharat' campaign.

The ministry will also launch the 12-page annual Incredible India calender, the colourful Incredible India calender 2015 depicts paintings of various artists.