Code of conduct for safe and honourable tourism unveiled

New Delhi, July 1 (ANI): Union Minister of Tourism and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja unveiled the code of conduct for 'Safe and Honourable Tourism' at an exclusive event here on Thursday.

This code of conduct was conceptualised and drafted by Ministry of Tourism in association with the Indian chapter of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Save the Children - India, an NGO, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and Equitable Tourism Option (EQUATIONS).

Speaking on the occasion, Kumari Selja said that the code of conduct has been based with a foresight to meet the country's needs and challenges in the future.

The code has been evolved keeping in mind the objectives such as encouraging tourism activities with respect for basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourist and local residents.

The other aspects covered by this code are prevention of prostitution, sex tourism and forms of sexual exploitations in tourism, and 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 tourists, who come to India, especially from foreign countries, should be made aware of our culture. They should be made aware of some sensitivity in every culture and every country, which they should respect," said Kumari Selja.

"They should be educated as well as our stake holders should also be educated against sexual exploitation of kids and students, what steps should be taken for their security. The hotels should also train their staff members on how to treat with the tourists," she added.

Kumari Selja urged all the stakeholders to adopt the code in right earnest and at the earliest. (ANI)