News Summary: India tourism business threatened
News Summary: High-profile rapes threaten India tourism business, many operators report slump
INDUSTRY DAMAGED: Violence against women, and the huge publicity generated by recent attacks here, is threatening India's $17.7 billion tourism industry.
GOVERNMENT DENIAL: A new study shows tourism has plunged, especially among women, since a 23-year-old Indian student was raped in December on a New Delhi bus and later died from her injuries. The government denies any falloff in tourism.
PRECAUTIONS: Some foreign female tourists are learning to take precautions: always dressing modestly in long sleeves and trousers outside major cities, rarely venturing out of their hotels after dark. Being friendly, but not too friendly, to men and trying to find Indian women for company.
