New Delhi, Dec 08: The Centre has asked its diplomatic missions in gulf countries to exercise due care while issuing visas to prevent ‘sex-tourism’, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Replying to a written question, Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan said that the government was aware of the concern expressed by national commission for women about practice by foreign tourists taking ‘short-term brides’ thus resulting in ‘sex-tourism’ in the country.
Jagmohan said that government had suitably advised Indian missions in the Gulf region to exercise due care while issuing visas.
In reply to another question, he said estimated number of foreign tourists to India had increased by 14.6 per cent during January-November 2003.
As many as 23.92 lakh foreign tourists visited India during the period in reference compared to 20.87 lakh tourists in the same period previous year.
Jagmohan also said that all states and union territories recorded a positive growth in tourist inflow except for Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and Karnatka and the decline was there because the tourists gave preference to other destinations over them.
Eco-tourism: an amount of Rs 494.35 lakh has been sanctioned for setting up of Indian Himalayan Centre for adventure and eco-tourism at Chemchey in south Sikkim, Jagmohan said.
Bureau Report