**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Tourism is modernizing the tourism sector by improving safety and convenience for tourists. This includes setting up tourism police, a multi-lingual helpline, promoting safe tourism for women, encouraging responsible tourism, streamlining e-visa processing, and launching a revamped digital platform. The information was provided by the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Tourist Safety and Security:**
* State Governments and Union Territories are encouraged to establish dedicated Tourism Police.
* A 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline is available on the toll-free number 1800111363 and short code 1363 in 12 languages.
* State Governments and Union Territories are periodically requested to utilize the Nirbhaya fund for "Safe Tourism Destination for Women" projects.
* **Responsible Tourism:**
* The Ministry of Tourism and stakeholders have adopted the 'Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism.'
* **E-Visa Facilitation:**
* E-visa processing is fully online, facilitating hassle-free entry for foreigners.
* **Digital Platform (IIDP):**
* The revamped Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) has been launched.
* The platform personalizes visitor experiences through an AI-powered tool with real-time updates and essential travel services.
* The IIDP is supported by a mobile application and includes a content hub for digital asset management.
* The platform has partnered with OTAs and is integrated with the NIDHI portal for booking and information.
* **Collaboration and Connectivity:**
* The Ministry of Tourism is working with other Ministries to improve transportation, information systems, and emergency services.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments and Union Territory (UT) Administrations**
* **Impact**: Expected to enhance tourist safety and promote responsible tourism within their jurisdictions.
* **Action Required**: Establish dedicated Tourism Police; utilize Nirbhaya fund for women's safety projects; support the 'Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism.'
**Tourists (Domestic and Foreign)**
* **Impact**: Enhanced safety, convenience, and access to information.
* **Action Required**: Utilize the tourist helpline in case of distress; explore the Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) for travel planning.
**Tourism Industry Stakeholders (Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Hotels, etc.)**
* **Impact**: Access to a wider audience through the IIDP and NIDHI portal; potential for increased bookings.
* **Action Required**: Partner with the IIDP; register on the NIDHI portal.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The central government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP): A revamped digital platform launched by the Ministry of Tourism to provide comprehensive information and resources for travelers and stakeholders interested in exploring India.
Nirbhaya Fund: A fund requested by the Ministry of Tourism to all State Governments and Union Territories for availing the benefits of the 'Safe Tourism Destination for Women'.
Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism: A set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect to basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular, women and children, adopted by the Ministry of Tourism.
e-visa: An online visa application platform to provide hassle-free entry to foreigners into India for legitimate purposes like tourism, business and medical purposes.
Ministry of Tourism
Modernization of Tourism Sector
Posted On: 05 FEB 2026 3:41PM by PIB Delhi
Safety and Security of tourists is essentially a State subject. However, the Ministry of Tourism has been
continuously taking up the matter with all the State Governments and Union Territory (UT)
Administrations for setting up of dedicated Tourism Police to strengthen on-ground safety mechanism for
tourists. With the efforts of Ministry of Tourism, the State Governments /UT’s viz Telangana, Andhra
Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya
Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh have deployed tourist police.
As a part of the Ministry’s continuous endeavors to make travel for tourists safe and secure, the Ministry
of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a
short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages for domestic and foreign tourists to
provide support service in term of information relating to travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance
to tourists in distress, while travelling within India.
Ministry of Tourism has been periodically requesting all State Governments and Union Territories for
availing the benefits of the ‘Safe Tourism Destination for Women’ under Nirbhaya fund which can be
utilized for projects specifically designed to improve the safety and security of women tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism along with all stakeholders, including the Tourism Departments of all States and
UTs, have adopted the 'Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism' which is a set of guidelines to
encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect to basic right like dignity, safety and freedom
from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular, women and children.
Processing of e-visa is totally on the online platform. A foreigner can apply for evisa from anywhere.
Introduction of e-visa has helped in providing hassle-free entry to foreigners into India for legitimate
purposes like tourism, business and medical purposes. E-visa has become very popular among foreigners
which is evident from the fact that the number of e-visa issued has gone up rapidly over the last few years.
The Ministry of Tourism launched the revamped version of Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) as a
comprehensive resource for travelers and stakeholders interested in exploring the country’s rich cultural
heritage, natural beauty and diverse attractions. The IIDP uses an AI-powered tool that personalizes visitor
experiences by offering real-time weather updates, city exploration and essential travel services. It is
supported by a mobile application available on both iOS and Android platforms and includes a content
hub for sharing and managing digital assets. The portal has partnered with several OTAs (Online TravelAgents) and Stakeholders for seamless booking of flights, hotels, cabs, and buses and tickets for `ASI
monuments. integrated with the National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI) portal to
provide information on registered tour operators and travel agents.
With the objective of making Indian among the top tourist destination in the world, the Ministry of
Tourism has been continuously working very closely with line Ministries for transportation connectivity,
information systems and emergency services in the country to make tourists' journeys safer and more
convenient.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in
a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2223773) Visitor Counter : 88
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