An apex body of tourism stakeholders has put in place several measures to ensure the safety of women travellers, especially those who undertake solo trips, in north Bengal and Sikkim.

Samrat Sanyal, the general secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network (HHTDN), said: “We will list accommodations which meet specific safety standards like secure locks, adequate CCTV coverage of the property and engagement of staff trained in gender sensitivity.”

“Our association will also organise training for drivers and guides and collaborate with trusted transport providers to ensure that women travelling solo and
in groups have access to safe and reliable transportation,” he added.

Sources in the association said the decision had been taken in the wake of the junior doctor’s rape and murder in Calcutta on August 9.

“We will discuss the issue elaborately at our biennial general meeting in September. Our association is also planning to launch a mobile app for women travellers,” said a representative of the network.

According to the plan, the app will have information about special packages for women-guided tours for women. Data on transportation, police stations, hospitals and other facilities will also be included in the app.

“We are also trying to work out a module to get more women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. Women service providers will be given special emphasis from our end,” he added.

In north Bengal, many homestays and hotels are run by women.

Sanyal said the idea was to disseminate the message that tourist destinations in north Bengal and the region as a whole were safe and secure for travellers.

“We will seek the active participation of our members so that tourists, particularly women, feel safe during trips. Our association will also introduce a dedicated helpline for tourists. The tourism operators and their staff would be trained in handling women groups and solo women travellers in a better manner,”
said Sanyal.

The association will also encourage local girls and women to work as guides in different destinations.

“Partnering with local female guides is another aspect of our initiative. We would also develop mechanisms to reach out to the women travellers to prevent any harassment,” said a source.