New policy for safety of foreign tourists: Chiranjeevi

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to make stay of foreign tourists safe and memorable in India, the Centre is contemplating to formulate a new policy, said Union Tourism minister K Chiranjeevi. “We will convene a meeting of state Tourism ministers to chalk out a policy to ensure complete safety and security of foreign tourists,” Chiranjeevi told reporters after inagurating the new campus of IITTM in Bhubaneswar.  Stating that gangrape of a woman from Switzerland in Madhya Pradesh should not be repeated anywhere in the country, Chiranjeevi said the Ministry of Tourism would also involve Ministry of Home Affairs and External Affairs in the process of formulating new policy. The Union Tourism Minister also said that the people in every nook and corner of the country should realise the concept of India’s ideology of “Atithi Deva Bhavo” (Guests are like Gods). Chiranjeevi said the foreign tourists should be treated properly in the country as tourism provides employment and boosts economy of the rural people. He said the new policy on the safety of the foreign tourists need to be implemented by state governments. Chiranjeevi also said the policy would have the provision to guide the foreign tourists. “They should contact the local police stations before entering into any rural or difficult areas,” the minister said. PTI