Incidents like the boat capsize in Vietnam and the fire in a Bangkok pub, each of which led to multiple fatalities, draw attention once again to the need for strict mechanisms that regulate the functioning of tourism activities. Incidents of such kind take place regularly in India, and the authorities are waking up gradually to the need for better enforcement of safety regulations. However, with places like Thailand and Vietnam becoming cheaper alternatives to many of the well-known destinations in India, the question arises how tourists are to determine the quality of services in those countries.
One way, of course, is to ensure that tourists and even picnickers are themselves aware of the basics of safety. Reports come in daily about youth, many of them minors, drowning in rivers and ponds across the country when merely going for a bit of a splash. While the local administrations should take the trouble to post lifeguards and put up warning signs at popular sites, the youngsters should be taught safety techniques in schools and even at home, so that the basics are followed. Just knowing what to avoid, and what to do if there is a mishap, can reduce considerably the number of fatalities.
Also, independent agencies should examine the safety standards of nations, as well as particular destinations, and rank them accordingly so that visitors can make informed decisions regarding which places to visit. These can be focused on travel safety, quality of accommodation, security measures at activity sites, etc. Visitors should not makes choices based just on affordability. This would also give a boost to destinations that have taken the trouble to implement safety measures, even if these require extra effort.
Uttarakhand, too, being not just a major tourism and pilgrimage destination, but also having a diverse geography, needs to focus on this aspect. The government and voluntary organisations should take a close look at every element of what is on offer for visitors. Just the fact that many of them come by car without having experience of hill driving is in itself an ever present danger. The least that can be done is to print pamphlets on the specifics of hill driving and hand them over to incoming traffic. Similarly, visitors should be made aware of safety procedures regarding bathing in the rivers, or trekking in the hills, or undertaking adventure activities, etc. Just focusing on money-making activities should not be the purpose. Services offered should be top-notch in every way, including guidance on safety, from the government to the thela-wallah.
