How many Ex Servicemen have been employed for safety of tourists in India?

Domestic Tourism registers an impressive growth during 2009
Sunday, June 27, 2010 15:58 IST
Market Research Division of Ministry of Tourism compiles data on “domestic and foreign tourist visits to States/ UTs” received from Ministries/ Departments of Tourism of various State Governments and UT Administrations.
Following are the important highlights of data for 2009:
(a) Domestic Tourist Visits to Sates/ UTs

During 2009, the number of domestic tourist visits to the States/ UTs was 650 million as compared to 563 million in 2008 and 527 millions in 2007.

During 2009, the number of domestic tourist visits to States/UTs registered an increase of 15.5% over 2008 as compared to increase of 6.9% in 2008 over 2007.

The top ten States in terms of number of domestic tourist visits (in millions) during 2009 were Andhra Pradesh (157.5), Uttar Pradesh (134.8), Tamil Nadu (115.8), Karnataka (32.7), Rajasthan (25.6), Maharashtra (23.7), Madhya Pradesh (23.1), Uttarakhand (21.9), West Bengal (20.5) and Gujarat (15.9).

The contribution of top 10 States was about 88% to the total number of domestic tourist visits during 2009. The percentage shares of top 5 States were Andhra Pradesh (24.2%), Uttar Pradesh (20.7%), Tamil Nadu (17.8%), Karnataka (5.0%) and Rajasthan (3.9%).
(b) Foreign Tourist visits to States/ UTs

During 2009, the number of foreign tourist visits (FTVs) to the States/ UTs was 13.7 million as compared to 14.1 million in 2008 and 13.3 million in 2007.

During 2009, the number of FTVs to States/UTs registered a decline of 2.8% over 2008 as compared to an increase of 6.4% in 2008 over 2007. This decline in FTVs is similar to the trend of the decline of 3.3% in the foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) during 2009.

The top ten States in terms of number of FTVs (in millions) during 2009 were Tamil Nadu (2.37), Maharashtra (2.0), Delhi (1.96), Uttar Pradesh (1.53), West Bengal (1.18), Rajasthan (1.07), Andhra Pradesh (0.80), Kerala (0.55), Bihar (0.42) and Himachal Pradesh (0.40).

The contribution of top 10 States was about 90% to the total number of FTVs in the country during 2009. The percentage shares of top 5 States were Tamil Nadu (17.3%), Maharashtra (14.6%), Delhi (14.3%), Uttar Pradesh (11.25) and West Bengal (8.6%).

Data show that domestic tourism registered an impressive growth of 15.5% in 2009 inspite of economic recession and other adverse factors for tourism. On the contrary, FTAs and FTVs registered a decline of 3.3% and 2.8% respectively during the same period. This brings out the importance of domestic tourism in the overall tourism development in the country. AD
Domestic Tourism registers an impressive growth during 2009
Two Dutch women raped, robbed in New Delhi

Question: Is India a safe destination?
How many Domestic and Foreign Nationals have been cheated, looted, raped and killed? Do we have the statistics compiled on all- India basis? The Tourism Ministry which had promised to employ ESM for safe guarding tourists is still on paper without any tangible outcome! Tourism Ministry will do well to warn and give out the statistics of tourist victims and issue an advisory accordingly for citizens safety.

ESM may be roped in adventure tourism

NEW DELHI : The Tourism Ministry is considering a proposal to use the services of ex-servicemen as part of an exercise for manpower development in adventure tourism.

There is a need for manpower development in adventure tourism and the services of ex-servicemen may be used for the purpose, said a senior Tourism Ministry official. With an aim to boost adventure tourism, the Ministry has worked out an action plan to be carried out in close coordination with state governments. Currently there are about 25 projects related to adventure tourism being implemented with central financial assistance in different states.

The projects include development of river rafting facilities, ski destinations, water sports complex, eco and adventure centre and trekking routes in several states. Tourism Ministry at a recent review meeting decided to provide an updated list of these ongoing projects to adventure tour operators association to enable them to plan activities and marketing initiatives accordingly. "We are trying to sort out various issues related to adventure tourism concerning other ministries like Environment and Forest Ministry and Defence Ministry," said a senior Tourism Ministry official.

A meeting with other Ministries where clearances are required for adventure tourism activities will be convened by the Tourism Ministry shortly, said the official. There is also a proposal to construct an Adventure Tourism Centre in Sikkim whose model can be replicated in other states as well.
Ex-servicemen may be roped in adventure tourism

Ex Servicemen to turn guards of honour for tourists

Taking a serious note of rising incidence of crimes against foreign tourists, particularly women, the Centre on Thursday asked state governments to deploy a force of ex-servicemen in prominent tourist destinations for providing adequate protection to visitors from unscrupulous elements. The recommendation was made by the tourism ministry at a meeting of state tourism secretaries in view of the shortage of police personnel in states to undertake such a specialised task on a regular basis and the reluctance of most state governments to set up a special police force for tourists.

The ministry suggested the creation of a "trained, dedicated and disciplined" watchdog force comprising ex-servicemen to solve the problem of harassment and molestation of women tourists, which had assumed alarming proportions. The tourism ministry offered to help state governments in setting up such special units by coordinating between them and the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) under the defence ministry.

The expenditure incurred by this special force will have to be borne by state governments, according to Union Tourism Secretary S. Banerjee, who stated that the modalities ofthe scheme would be finalised by his ministry within the next two days.

"Here is a bank of completely trained and disciplined personnel. We are asking states to make use of their services," Banerjee said after the meeting.

The DGR has proposed a model in which ex-servicemen will function as tourist wardens or "tourist buddies" in each state after proper training for the job. The suggestion got a favourable response from state officials, he said.

The meeting was also attended by officials from ministries of home, defence, civil aviation, railways, road transport and highways as well as Delhi Police.

Hindustan Times, Sat, Jan 26 12:25 AM
Credit: http://in.news.yahoo.com/hindustantimes/20080126/r_t_ht_nl_general/tnl-ex-servicemen-to-turn-guards-of-hono-7244580.html

Opportunities for Ex Servicemen

Home Stays
Ex-servicemen offer home stays, launch venture to promote tourism. In Kochi a new era has started in the field of tourist home stays in the State with ex-servicemen venturing into the field. The Kerala Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association has given shape to Ex-Servicemen Tourism Development Organisation (EXTO) to provide safe, hygienic and quality accommodation and other amenities to tourists.

Eco-Task Forces
Four Eco-Task Forces (ETFs) of ex-servicemen are being funded by the NAEB. These ETFs comprise of ex-servicemen and are commanded by serving JCOs and Commissioned Officers. Forest Departments of the State Governments, in which the ETFs are located, provide technical support to the ETFs. The activities undertaken include afforestation, pasture development, soil and water conservation and other restorative works. The 9th plan allocation for the scheme is Rs. 24.00 crores. The ETFs are presently located at Kiarkuli, Bikaner, Samba, Pithoragarh.

Manning Toll Booths
This scheme is being formulated and implemented by the National Highway Authority of India. Ex Servicemen will be inducted in a phased manner.

Computer Training Centre
To rehabilitate ex-servicemen, Department of Sainik Welfare has opened a computer centre to train ex-servicemen at Thrissur district in Kerala. It was felt that making ex-servicemen, especially those under the age of 45, computer-literate, as an important step towards rehabilitation. Of the 1.46 lakh ex-servicemen in the state, 11,842 are from Thrissur. They include world war veterans, retired short-service commissioned officers and personnel who opted for retirement after fifteen years of service. The Department of Sainik Welfare plans to associate with national agencies in this regard. Qualified teachers from these agencies would handle the classes. Basic courses such as MS Office are on offer to start with initially. The total fee for each course is Rs 100. The basic qualification of the candidates SSLC/ Army Equivalent.

Self Employment
Large scope exists in avenues like in manufacturing activities, small scale service establishments, agriculture, tiny, cottage and village industries. The DGR has launched a few self-employment schemes for the resettlement of ex-servicemen and widows. Among the self-employment schemes, SEMFEX-II, SEMFEX-III and National Equity Fund are the prominent ones.

Reliance Fresh
Reliance Industries plans to hire several thousands of ex-servicemen as it spreads wings in the retail sector. Having set up outlets in a number of cities, the Reliance Retail has offered jobs in plenty to the large pool of talented and qualified workforce emerging out of the forces. As its footprints expands across the country, the company has the capacity to employ all of around 60,000 uniformed men retiring every year, Colonel (Retired) S.P. Nanda, Vice-President, Reliance Industries, told a day-long seminar in New Delhi. A large number of jobs are also being constantly created by the group in specialized professions like drivers for cranes, bulldozers and earth movers and heavy machinery operators.

The Indian Veterans Network
A body of retired defence personnel from India and abroad, was launched by the chief guest, former Information and Broadcasting Minister Brigadier (Retd) K. P. Singh Deo. An initiative of the Chandigarh- based Institute of Tourism and Future Management (ITFT Group), the Network, to be registered as a society and consisting of retired officers of the three services, would provide a platform for reoccupation and welfare of their families. Addressing the delegates, Lt. General (Retd.) Ranjit Singh Dyal, ITFT Chairman and former Lt Governor of Pondicherry and Andaman and Nicobar islands, said a global network conference of Indian Veterans would be held on the sidelines of the 3-day Bharatiya Pravasi Diwas celebrations in January next year. General Dyal said the conference would offer an opportunity to interact with about 8,000 ex-servicemen settled abroad, part of the 26 million Indian diaspora, and explore overseas job opportunities for retiring servicemen.
Web Portal http://indianveteransnetwork.com/