The government is considering setting up a special police force to ensure safety of tourists, especially women, the tourism ministry said Thursday.
In a meeting between officials of various state tourism departments and union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi here, steps for promoting tourism were discussed.
A resolution passed in the meeting said the centre and state tourism departments will "work for ensuring the safety and security of tourists, especially women".
"The tourism departments of all states and union territories will consider setting up of a special force such as 'tourist police' where it does not exist, either by taking few companies on deputation from the police department or by engaging ex-servicemen or home guards," the resolution said.
"In the case of any unfortunate incident involving a tourist, the departments will ensure that immediate action is taken to investigate the crime and speedy trial is undertaken to bring the culprits to book," it added.
The tourism ministry also said it would sensitize all stakeholders through various electronic and print campaigns towards the need of being sensitive to the needs of tourists and being helpful.
To inculcate in children proper values, the government is planning to arrange "at least one lecture every year in every class on the importance of sensitivity to tourists and the cleanliness of public areas".
A mass awareness campaign - 'I respect women' - will also be run. Removal of garbage at regular intervals, declaring polythene and garbage free zones and providing toilets to stop open defecation are among other measures the ministry is to adopt to promote tourism.
"The tourism departments of states and union territories will try to establish toilet facilities along roads leading to important tourist destinations by utilising the existing infrastructure like petrol pumps, dhabas and other public buildings and services of unemployed youth," the resolution said.
