Himachal's SheTravel Initiative Spurs Calls for Enhanced Women's Safety Measures
In the wake of Himachal Pradesh's tourism department launching SheTravel, a new initiative designed to encourage solo women travellers to visit the state, hotel and restaurant associations have issued a strong appeal to the government. On Friday, these groups called for the creation of a tourist-friendly environment to ensure the effective implementation of this proposed policy, emphasizing that safety and comfort are paramount for its success.
Hotel Associations Propose Key Interventions
The Hotel and Restaurant Association, Dharamshala, has urged the Himachal Pradesh government to introduce focused policy measures aimed at enhancing safety and the overall travel experience for solo women travellers. This effort seeks to position the state as a leading destination for women-friendly tourism in India. The association has proposed a series of critical interventions to achieve this goal.
These include the establishment of dedicated women tourist assistance desks at major destinations, increased police patrolling in tourist hotspots, and the installation of comprehensive CCTV surveillance systems. Additionally, they recommend robust emergency response mechanisms to address any incidents promptly.
Building Trust Through Certification
To build trust and confidence among travellers, the association also suggested the introduction of a women-safe accommodation certification for hotels, homestays, and guest houses. This certification would ensure verified staff, secure premises, and the availability of women-friendly facilities. It should be promoted through official tourism platforms to increase visibility and reliability.
Ashwani Bamba, president of the Hotel & Restaurant Association, Dharamshala, highlighted the growing trend of independent travel among women. "With an increasing number of women opting for independent travel, ensuring their safety, comfort, and confidence has become a critical priority for the tourism sector," he said. "Himachal Pradesh, known for its scenic landscapes and warm hospitality, has immense potential to attract this growing segment of travellers, provided adequate safety and support systems are put in place."
Focus on Systemic Changes for Safety
Mohinder Seth, president of the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholder Association, echoed these sentiments, stating that women's safety should be the utmost priority under the new policy. "The trend of women travelling alone, or in women-only groups, to tourist destinations in India is steadily increasing," he noted. "The new policy by the tourism department is a welcome step, but its successful implementation will require several systemic changes. The department will have to focus on women's safety and creating infrastructure that makes women feel safe and secure in the state."
Addressing Long-Standing Issues in Shimla
Meanwhile, the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholder Association pointed out that tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh, especially Shimla, urgently need reforms in certain long-standing practices to foster a welcoming and visitor-friendly atmosphere. In a statement, the association highlighted problematic behaviors by guides, porters, and touts.
"Shimla is the only destination in Himachal Pradesh where, upon entering the city, tourists are frequently followed by guides, porters, or touts calling out 'hotel, hotel', which often causes discomfort and anxiety among visitors," the statement said. "The stopping of tourist vehicles by such individuals within the city also contributes to traffic congestion."
The association further explained that despite the norm of online bookings, some individuals mislead tourists and pressure them into specific accommodations. "Chasing tourist vehicles is prohibited as it poses safety risks and may lead to unpleasant incidents, yet there is no stopping the guides and porters," they added. "Also, depriving tourists of their free choice regarding accommodation and travel falls under the definition of malpractice under the Tourism Act and constitutes a punishable offence."
They called on the state government to completely prohibit the practice of guides, porters, and touts chasing tourist vehicles and conducting unauthorized roadside guiding activities. The memorandum detailing these concerns will be formally submitted to the authorities soon.
Ambitious Goals for Women's Tourism
The proposed SheTravel policy targets ambitious goals, aiming to double the share of women solo travellers from around 18% of the total footfall to 35% by 2028. This initiative seeks to position Himachal Pradesh as "India's premier destination for female solo travellers", leveraging its natural beauty and hospitality to attract this demographic.
As the state moves forward with these plans, the collaboration between government bodies and tourism stakeholders will be crucial in creating a safe, inclusive, and thriving environment for all visitors, particularly women exploring the region independently.
