India battles to counter tourists' terrorism fears

India is facing an uphill battle to restore confidence in its tourism industry after several countries issued warnings to their citizens that they could be targeted in terrorist attacks.

Demand has also been sapped by the Indian Government's attempts to shut gaping holes in its security procedures exposed by the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November 2008, including the introduction of restrictions on travelling to the country on a tourist visa and closer scrutiny of foreign visitors.

Last week the country's External Affairs Minister, S. M.Krishna, was forced to deny that the country was unsafe for tourists, insisting visitors had "nothing to worry" about. "Let me scotch all speculative reports that India is a country infested by terrorists. I reject this totally," he said.

India's Tourism Ministry has also commissioned four new ads for its "Incredible India" campaign in the hope of boosting tourism numbers.

But the assurances have cut little ice with foreign Governments. The United States, Britain, Australia and Canada have all issued travel advisories warning of the high risk of terrorist attacks.

"There is a high general threat from terrorism throughout India," the British Foreign Office warned. "Future attacks may target public places frequented by Westerners and expatriates, including in the major metropolitan centres (New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai) and tourist areas such as Goa."

Similar warnings have been issued by the other countries, with the US noting it "continues to receive information that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in India", while Canadians are told to "maintain a high level of vigilance" and "avoid crowded places".

Rattled by the manifest failings in its security arrangements exposed by the Mumbai attacks, India has been trying to tighten its monitoring system for visitors. The discovery that a foreign national, David Coleman Headley, made several visits to the country, allegedly to carry out reconnaissance for the Mumbai attacks, has prompted greater scrutiny of visitors.

Hotels have now been told to carry out stringent new checks on foreigners and to report all visitors to the police.

Some hotels are now insisting prospective guests call home to have someone vouch for their identity before allowing them to take a room.

Instructions have also been issued to increase vigilance at popular tourist sites, including the Taj Mahal. Among the measures proposed are eight watchtowers surrounding the world heritage site.

Critics of some of the new security measures have warned that India risks further alienating potential visitors.

Shashi Tharoor, a junior Foreign Minister, was carpeted last week when he used Twitter to question the new visa rules. "Is all that worth it just in hope of making it difficult for a future Headley to recce? R we going 2 allow terrorists 2 make us less welcoming?" he wrote.

Some five million tourists visit India every year and the industry is worth an estimatedNZ$16.6 billion.

India is also hoping to cash in on hosting the Commonwealth Games next year, but a series of high-profile attacks across India last year saw a drop in tourism.

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