Manipulation of services leaves tourists dazed

Chennai: Cheating/ manipulation of service is a major issue leaving foreign nationals dazed when they visit most of the tourist destinations in the country.

Strangely, a majority of them are unaware of the different law enforcement bodies available in India to deal with such issues.

They suggest that the police personnel should primarily be deployed at entry and exit point to the state followed by hotel, restaurant and other establishment so as to make them feel comfortable. Majority of foreigners (about 84 per cent) opined that the tourist police should have a special uniform, which could be easily recognisable so that they could approach the tourist police or help in case of any security issues.

As per the latest findings of the Union tourism ministry, about 86 per cent of tourists are of the opinion that safety and security of a destination is the priority while planning a vacation. The major source of information for them with regard to safety and security enforcements at a destination is internet and about 49 per cent of tourists expect that police authority should intervene immediately to sort out the problems in case they bring any issues to the notice of police personnel.
However, during the survey it has been found that only about 20 per cent of the tourists cancelled their scheduled vacation due to security reasons.

Nearly 59 per cent  of them have given their opinion that in a destination 24x7 hours service should be available to the tourist from the side of the police. Government officials (74 per cent) suggest that a scheme should be introduced in every state to provide policing service to the tourists. The officials also favoured every state to have a grievance redressal cell for  tourists and suggested a toll free number be started  exclusively for them.  

Introduction of separate policing scheme for the tourist can reduce the crime rate at tourist destination by more than 70 per cent, it was emphasised.