The recent terror attacks in Mumbai was not only gruesome and shocking, but has done immense damage to the Institutions of business such as tourism, travel & hotel which are an integral part of India’s growth and our relationship with the western world. It is a big blow to our country’s image as 22 foreign tourists were killed and a little more were injured.

The incident made a big bold statement that INDIA IS UNSAFE for foreign tourists, not only among those who survived the horrifying experience, but to the whole western world. Soon after the news about terror strike broke out, international airline companies recorded a 15 – 20% cancellation in airline bookings for the scheduled trips to India.

True to the statement, India is Incredible in every sense with its picturesque mountains, landscapes, architecture, waterfalls, temples, forests, beaches, culture, traditions, and arts & crafts; and for million other reasons.

But those who venture out to experience “Incredible India” are put to immense hardship thanks to our unmindful tourism department officials, unfriendly taxi drivers, cheating guides, impolite guest-house attendants, room boys etc,. On top of it, they had to guard themselves from human predators. Incidence of rape, molest, even killing are rampant that the country is increasingly becoming “Incredibly Unsafe” for foreign tourists, particularly women tourists.

The rape of a 20-year old German girl allegedly by 6 men in Chandigarh on 28th September 2008 is a recent testimony to our country’s UNSAFE image. There have been incidents reported in the past where foreign tourists underwent horrifying experiences such as

1) On 11th May, 2005: A 47 year old German tourist was raped by two auto rickshaw drivers in Jodhpur. The two were sentenced to life imprisonment by a fast track court within a month
2) On 20th March, 2006: A 26 year old German student was raped in Alwar by the son of an Orissa IPS officer.
3) On 2 nd April 2006: a Japanese woman alleged that she was drugged, raped and robbed by the son of a hotel manager in Pushkar along with three other men
4) On the 20th of September, 2007: Two Japanese women were allegedly raped by three men in Agra after one of the rapists drugged them.
5) On December 17th 2007: A 36 year old Finnish tourist was allegedly raped in Mumbai by an unknown person who had offered her a lift
6) During January 2008: 3 foreigners including a British journalist were allegedly raped in different parts of the country. The month also saw three minor girls from Canada being molested by the security staff of a hotel in Kerala.
7) On 16th February 2008, an Australian tourist aboard the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Express was molested by army personnel.

The highlight being the case of the British Teenager Scarlette Eden Keeling, who was found murdered on Goa’s Arjuna beach on February 18, 2008.

But Indian authorities and those in the hospitality industry, both organized and unorganized sectors never seem to understand the importance of creating a safe and comfortable environment for the tourists.

Tourism is such an important industry, that when handled well, will serve a great deal in improving the image of our country among foreign nationals who visit India. How India will be perceived in other countries to a large extent depends on what a tourist experiences here in India. One happy tourist who leaves India will send more tourists back to the country. As we all know that word of mouth is the greatest form of advertising.

Last but not the least, when you turn the pages of our religious scriptures, the lessons on treating guests proclaim “Athithi Devo Bhava” meaning “Our guest is God”. But in reality, we are extremely unwelcoming and even kill them out of lust and greed.