Let’s not give tourists reasons to regret their trip

Representational Image

The Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurant Associations in Shimla has called for immediate action against the dominance of touts, tourist guides, porters, and taxi drivers, saying that they discredit the state's tourism industry, a news reports stated.

Drawing the attention of the government and the police to malpractices affecting tourism and allied industries in Himachal Pradesh, the Federation alleged that registered and unregistered tourist guides, porters, and taxi drivers are chasing tourist vehicles, stopping them and taking them to hotels in exchange for hefty commissions, causing traffic congestion. These people are scaring tourists and tarnishing the image of the state as a safe tourist destination, a local hotelier said.

There is a lesson here for other states, including Maharashtra. We are moving into high tourist season and must ensure that our tourists, many of whom will be here from overseas, as December-January is peak season, have safety and security in the city.

Ensure that ‘guides' taking them around Mumbai and even to destinations just off the city are registered and authorised. They need to pay regular fares as they opt for public transport. We cannot have our transport operators fleecing them.

We need locals to intervene and help if they see a tourist in trouble. Better that we have a robust ‘tourist police' presence. A campaign on social media, directing visitors to a special number or telling them how to approach the cops for help, is the reassurance they need.

Let us make every state a welcoming haven for our visitors who depart with the best possible impression of the place they travelled to.