A UK tourist jumped out a window because of fears she was going to be sexually assaulted in India. Source: AP
INCREDIBLE India - or incredibly dangerous?
That's the question on the minds of would-be travellers from countries like Australia, the US and the UK.
It comes as India passed a sweeping new law to protect women against sexual violence in response to a fatal December gang rape and beating of a young woman on a bus in New Delhi.
Official travel warnings are urging holiday-goers to rethink their trips to India, which attracts around 6.6 million tourists annually.
The gem of the third world has becoming increasingly notorious though, especially for female travellers, after numerous reports of sexual assault and threats against domestic and foreign people.
Following last year's heinous rape and murder of a young girl, and the murder of three sisters in Bhandara in February, a British tourist was earlier this week threatened at a hotel in Agra.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) yesterday updated its blanket warnings for tourists to India on its Smart Traveller website.
The latest update reads: "Due to the risk of harassment and assault, women should exercise caution in India even if they are travelling in a group."
"We continue to recommend Australian exercise a high degree of caution in India overall because of the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, crime and vehicle accidents," the advisory adds.
The UK's foreign office issued a nearly identical advisory earlier this week, while the US State Department told female tourists to "avoid travelling alone in hired taxis, especially at night".
A similar warning was given by the Swiss foreign ministry last week.
India has enjoyed a successful tourism campaign with its "Incredible India" ad spot, featuring actress Patricia Malone as a woman travelling alone in the country.
- with AP
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