With increasing number of gang rape incidents in India making headlines worldwide, the after effects are distinctly visible. There has been a fall in number of women tourist visiting India. According to a report released by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), a fall of about 35 percent has been noticed, when it comes to female tourists visiting India.
This prevailing atmosphere of uncertainty and fear has had its effect on total number of tourists visiting the country and the same are down by about 25 percent as compared to last year. The Indian tourism industry has been in trouble, ever since a medical student was brutally gang raped on the night of 16th December, 2012 in a moving bus in New Delhi. The incident sparked wide condemnation from all the quarters and people protested vigorously. However, the girl succumbed to her grievous injuries 13 days later in a super speciality hospital in Singapore.
The girl was raped by a gang of six men who were on a pleasure trip on Sunday night and picked up the girl from a bus stop in South Delhi. The girl was waiting for a bus along with her friend. This incident was not alone and within 24 hours of this gruesome attack, two more similar incidents were reported from distinct parts of the city.
The incident cannot be viewed in isolation as such incidents are happening with impunity. Last month a Swiss tourist was gang raped by a gang of 6 men while she was camping on the outskirts of Datia town in Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, a South Korean tourist was also raped in a hotel in January in Madhya Pradesh.
These increasing incidents of atrocity against women in India have led to downfall in tourist inflow. United Nation’s human rights chief has infact cited this as a national problem for India.
ASSOCHAM survey results a real cause of concern for the Indian Government. As per their findings, 72 percent of the 1200 tourist operators consulted have reported that they have received numerous cancellations from foreign tourists, ever since the Delhi gang rape happened.
Adding to this confusion is the travel advisory that many nations including United States and Britain have issued, especially to the women travellers. This travel advisory that applies to certain cities is often perceived as a threat by the tourists and they decide to skip India as a destination. Instead, foreign tourists are heading to other Asian countries including Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
This reputation of India being highlighted as an unsafe destination for women tourists is a severe dent for the Indian Government. The government is working on a plan to double its foreign exchange reserves by 2016. A major share of the same comes from tourism. However, the increasing crime incidents against women has led to a peculiar situation and women tourists have started to avoid visiting India, even in a group.
Much needs to be done to change this perception and effective policing at all levels needs to be ensured so as to make women of our country and foreign tourists feel safe in India.
