Union Tourism Ministry comes up with booklet for tourists on local customs and traditions of India

NEW DELHI: "Some parts of India, particularly the smaller towns and villages, still have traditional styles of dressing. Do find out about local customs and traditions or concerned authorities before visiting such places." This and many such advisories form part of the Union tourism ministry’s little booklet to foreign tourists visiting India from next month.

"These are just little dos and don’ts that will be handed over to all foreign visitors at the airport itself, just to make them enjoy their trip better," said Union tourism and culture minister Mahesh Sharma.

This was, he adds, a reaction to negative travel advisories that were issued by various countries after the Nirbhaya incident. "We understand that people will feel afraid to visit if they feel unsafe, we feel ashamed when such incidents happen. This booklet and our helpline number (1363) is geared towards women tourists especially, it is in two languages now, we propose to have it in 12 languages at least," he told ET.

The tips not only include what to wear, but to keep early hours. How to make sure cab trips are safe, including taking a picture of the license plate from your phone. How and where to bargain, and how much to tip (the fact that service charge is part of the bill in Indian restaurants is mentioned prominently in the booklet) is also listed. Police control room numbers are also mentioned.