More than 17900 Calls Received on 24x7 Toll Free Tourist Info
Posted on: 25/Mar/2016 12:44:40 PM
Ministry of Tourism`s 24x7 Toll Free Tourist Info/Helpline- 1800111363 or a short code 1363 has received a total of 17911 calls from Tourists as on 20th March, 2016. Since its launch on 8th February, 2016 by Minister of Tourism & Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma, its popularity is fast growing among Tourists. This Infoline service provides information relating to Travel & Tourism in India to the domestic and International tourists/visitors and to assist the callers with advice on action to be taken during times of distress while travelling in India and if need be alert the concerned authorities.
This project is being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India through M/s. TATA BSS who have been associated with the work after open bidding process. The languages handled by the contact centers include ten International languages besides English and Hindi, namely, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Tourists travelling in or planning to travel to India can seek help and information for a hassle free experience. The calls made by tourists (both international and domestic) while in India will be free of charge. The international tourists in India and also international callers who speak the aforesaid languages will be directed to the call agents proficient in the respective language.
The focus of the Tourist Infoline is on IEC i.e. Information, Education and Communication for the Tourists followed by a Helpdesk. This service primarily serves those who know very little about India or about travel within India, and those who do not understand Indian systems and often not even English.
Need for such Tourist Info/Helpline was felt due to reports regarding incidents involving crime against tourists especially the women tourists, there had been a concern expressed by the foreign tour operators and prospective visitors to India regarding the safety and security of tourists. There was also a serious concern about the tout menace and cheating of tourists.
