A fatal gang rape in New Delhi didn’t deter Carolina De Paolo and Canan Wahner from traveling to India.
Then a man fondled Wahner on a train. On another journey, a different man grabbed De Paolo‘s breasts.
The two German women insist they would come to India again. But many tourists are choosing not to come at all.
Violence against women — and publicity generated by recent attacks here — are threatening India‘s $17.7 billion tourism industry. A survey by an Indian business group says tourism has plunged, especially among women, since a 23-year-old Indian student was raped on a New Delhi bus.
The government disputes that tourism has dropped, but merchants say they are already suffering.