Govt promises strict action against fake tour guides, operators -Governance Now

Govt promises strict action against fake tour guides, operators

Says there is a need to allay fears of tourists keeping in view the upcoming Games

PTI | August 16, 2010

In the wake of complaints of alleged harassment of tourists, the government has decided to act tough against fake tour operators and guides who fleece them.

A special drive has also been launched in the national capital to check the number of people or agencies working unauthorisedly as tour managers, touts and tourists guides ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

"We will take stringent action against those found involved in such sort of acts. We have asked Delhi Police to take severe measures against fake tour operators and guides operating here," Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja told PTI.

"The Commonwealth Games are a prestigious event and we are concerned for the security and safety of both domestic and foreign visitors," she said.

The mega sporting extravaganza is scheduled between October 3-14 here.

According to the minister, different measures are being planned to ensure trouble-free Games for one and all. "We have asked all stakeholders to adhere to guidelines by Tourism Ministry to check any wrong doings by such sham guides and tour operators," the Minister said.

There are about 350 registered tour operators with the government across the national capital.

The Ministry is also planning to rope in college students to help tourists and work as volunteers during the sporting event.

"We are getting a huge response from college and school students across the country. They all want to come to Delhi during the Games. We are working out on ways to use their services," she said.

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), an umbrella body of over 1,500 hotels, tour operators and lifestyle services providers, has also asked the Tourism Ministry to devise measures to thwart such illegal activities.

According to IATO president Vijay Thakur, "There are about 1,000 fake tour operators working in the national capital. We have long been asking the Ministry and the Home Ministry to check on their activities."

He said that "there is a need to allay fears of insecurity from the minds of foreign visitors to boost tourism, especially during the Games.

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