Negative Publicity by Thomson Reuters Foundation regarding Women Safety in India
28th June 2018
To All Members,
Dear Friends,
Sub: Negative Publicity by Thomson Reuters Foundation regarding Women Safety in India
It came to our knowledge about the Negative Publicity by Thomson Reuters Foundation regarding Women Safety in India through their article appeared in Conde Nest Traveller mentioning that “India is the most dangerous country on the planet for women, ranking above conflict-ridden countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia and Yemen”.
IATO has taken up the matter immediately by writing to the Hon’ble Tourism Minister and Secretary Tourism. Our President has also sent Messages on WhatsApp to the Hon’ble Minister and all the senior officials in the Ministry requesting for strong action against them.
A copy of the letter sent to Hon’ble Minister is forwarded herewith for your information.
Thanking you and with best regards,
Sincerely,
Rajesh Mudgill
Hony. Secretary
28th June 2018
Mr. K.J. Alphons
Minister of State for Tourism (IC)
Ministry of Tourism
Government of India
Transport Bhawan
Hon’ble Minister Sir,
Sub: Negative Publicity by Thomson Reuters Foundation regarding Women Safety in India
Greetings from IATO !
While our Ministry is making all its efforts to promote international tourist arrivals to India by organizing Road shows in overseas countries, FAM Trips for the Overseas Tour Operators and Travel Media, Global Marketing Campaigns etc., but due to negative image being created by the leading travel media/press, all the efforts being made by our Ministry and the Stakeholders are going into vain. The recent example is of data released by Thomson Reuters Foundation on 26th June 2018 in Conde Nest Traveller mentioning “India is the most dangerous country on the planet for women, ranking above conflict-ridden countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia and Yemen”. Please see the below link for your ready reference:
No doubt this is going to be really a setback for the Indian tourism industry as it will put a question mark on the safety of women tourists coming to India and will create negative image for our country.
This needs to be challenged officially by the Ministry and some legal action should be taken against M/s. Thomson Reuters Foundation and also Conde Nest Traveller who had published this article without confirming from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Our Ministry provide Conde Nest Traveller quite a substantial advertisement support and if they put such negative reports they should be black listed by the Ministry for any government financial support. We know such concerns are projected larger than the reality. Our Government is doing its best to provide hassle free holidays to all visiting travellers including women. Comparing India with countries like Syria, Somalia, Yemen, which are known for uncivilized activities, shows the lack of knowledge about India and its rich culture and heritage and vastness of the country by such publishing house. Sensational Journalism may be good for them but it is destructive to a sub-continent like India. Immediate action needs to be taken to challenge such negative reports in the interest of Indian Tourism when our government is targeting to achieve 20 million tourists by 2020.
Besides the above, our Ministry is requested to take the following action:-
1. To immediately issue a press release counteracting the above article appeared in Conde Nest Traveller.
2. All the Embassies/High Commissioner and Indiatourism offices abroad to give wide publicity to that press release and pass this on to the media members, bloggers who all came to India recently to quantify with their experience that India is a Safe Country.
3. Indiatourism Offices overseas to update the tour operators with the latest information about our country to their clients through regular updates.
4. Embassies/High Commissions should be proactive by giving facts and figures of more sexual harassments taking place in so called civilized world. Such datas are available in internet.
The above action needs to be taken on a top priority basis before further damage continues.
Thanking you and with best regards,
Sincerely,
Pronab Sarkar
President