India now has a code of conduct for tourism

The code of conduct for safe and honourable tourism, was formally adopted by the Union tourism ministry, along with stakeholders, on July 1, 2010.

It is, however, not a legally binding instrument, but a set of guidelines for voluntary adoption by the Indian tourism industry, Minister of State for Tourism Sultan Ahmed disclosed in the Rajya Sabha.

Just three days after a foreign couple was fined Rs 2,500 for entering the Bombay High Court, a heritage monument, with skimpy clothes, the government on Thursday disclosed that a "code of conduct" is already in force for "safe and honourable tourism" in the country.

As part of the guidelines of the code, the signatories are encouraged to assist the tourists with guidance on safety tips applicable to the specific city/place, including timings for visits, right dressing and other local social and cultural beliefs and norms, the minister said.

He was responding in a written answer to Congress MP Shantaram Naik's question on code of conduct for tourism in Goa.

He said the basic objective of the code is to encourage tourism activities, respecting basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of tourists and local people and communities who may be impacted by tourism in some way.

The code's objective is also to prevent prostitution, sex tourism and forms of sexual exploitations like assaults and molestations at tourist places to ensure the safety of of all particularly women and children.

The code lays stress on enhancing prevention of activities like forced or involuntary drug use, manipulated and incorrect information, cultural and social intolerance which could increase vulnerability to crime.

The minister said the response from the stakeholders on the adoption of the code is very encouraging.

The tenets of the code have been incorporated by the ministry in the guidelines for approval and classification of various categories of service providers related to the travel trade and hospitality sectors, so the objectives of 'Safe & Honourable Tourism' are achieved, he said.