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Govt steps in to check tour thugs

Updated on: 17 August,2010 09:11 AM IST  | 
MiD DAY Correspondent |

Special drive launched in Delhi

Govt steps in to check tour thugs

Special drive launched in Delhi

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 unauthorised people or agencies working as tour managers, touts and tourists guides ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

MiD DAY reported on Monday how fraud travel agents are duping tourist in the name of Commonwealth Games posing as franchisees of international tour operators. An east Delhi-based travel agent duped Jerin Joseph (name changed on request) who wanted to take his family on Himalaya darshan that too in the name of an international tour agent.

Joseph was trying to find a suitable operator that could take care of his vacation, lodging and travel needs. He came across a website www.hotelexpress.in, which had a Patparganj address. When Joseph tried to find more details he came to know that the agency was the franchise of a Norway-based travel firm.u00a0

The agency asked him to take the membership for Rs 6,990 which will entitle him for two free trips in a year anywhere in the country in the hotels listed on their website.

With numerous such cases coming to light tourism ministry has decided to tighten the noose around fraudulent travel agent. "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," said Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja.

"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. 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.

Industry speak
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 their activities. There is a need to allay fears of insecurity from the minds of foreign visitors to boost tourism, especially during the Games," he said.

350u00a0 number of registered tour operators in Delhi
1,000 number of unauthorised tour and travel agencies in Delhi





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