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Sept. 11 - Sept. 18, 2011 |
Increasing security after Mumbai attacks
Director of India Tourism Canada says country is still a safe travel destination
By Alessio Galletti
Originally Published: 2009-06-07
India’s image to foreign tourists risks being dramatically altered after the incidents at Oberoi and the Taj Mahal of Mumbai just weeks ago, with the terrorist attacks in the metropolis making world news. The country, which has always attracted travellers seeking spiritual self-discovery , has experienced rapid growth and expansion, including in the tourism sector – though it may no longer be seen in the same light.
But India is still a safe destination, according to Ronjon Lahiri, director of India Tourism Canada, the government entity from New Delhi that is involved in promoting the south Asian nation to Canada.
“Those who were in India during the attacks watched hotel personnel and regular citizens give their lives for them,” says Lahiri. He adds that the attacks could have occurred in any other country of the world.
How have things changed after the Mumbai attacks?
“Things are in rapid evolution and the country is increasing its security. India has been dealing with such attacks for some time, some 30 to 40 years, so we know how to handle security. The difference this time was in the fact that the obvious targets were not chosen. There are so many non-obvious targets – anything that has something to do with normal daily life, such as a grocery store or a street …. But those who have visited India want to come back, and many of them will do so …. India is still a safe place to travel to.”
Have those wanting to travel to India changed their minds?
“No. Up to this moment I don’t know of anyone that has decided not to return. Many who have previously visited India know that it is a very vast nation: if they think an area might be dangerous, they simply choose another area.”
In Assan, a train bomb recently killed three people and injured another 60. Was this connected to the Mumbai attacks?
“No, it was a coincidence. What happened in the north east of the country has nothing to do with the Mumbai attacks. The bomb was placed by a group of insurgents who have been active in that zone for some time.”
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