A viral video showing a young tourist inappropriately touching the thigh of a woman foreign tourist wearing shorts while strolling on a Manali street has ignited sharp criticism on social media.The foreign national responded with visible shock and the incident has raised serious concerns about women’s safety in the popular Himalayan tourist town, which receives lakhs of visitors annually.The police have stated that no formal complaint has been filed; therefore no action has been taken.Locals and tourism entrepreneurs have condemned the act. Budhi Prakash Thakur, a tourism entrepreneur, said the behaviour of a few people tarnishes the reputation of the entire community and the country. He demanded strict action against the man.Madan, another local, called for adequate police deployment in Manali to maintain law and order. He said authorities should take cognisance of such cases and act sternly, even without a formal complaint.@PoliceKullu कृपया ऐसे लोगों का इलाज करो जो हिमाचल और भारत का नाम ख़राब करते हैं।।ऐसी हरकतें करते हैं कुछ टूरिस्ट,जिस वजह से सबकी बदनामी होती है।#Manali #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/Vz13ytuAPH— Gems of Himachal (@GemsHimachal) June 4, 2026The incident is not isolated. Manali has witnessed several crimes against foreign women in recent years.In August 2022, a 39-year-old Russian woman was allegedly raped by a Singaporean national. In October 2018, a 33-year-old Russian was gang-raped by two men.Ensuring tourist safety has become a strategic priority.Himachal Pradesh launched SHE Travel Policy, which includes a dedicated SOS safety app, certified safe accommodations, and on-ground female marshals.The Union Tourism Ministry has also operationalised a 24×7 multi-lingual tourist helpline (toll-free 1800111363 or short code 1363) available in 12 languages, including 10 international languages. However, most visiting tourists remain unaware of these facilities.The ministry has further encouraged states to adopt the ‘Safe Tourism Destination for Women’ initiative under the Nirbhaya Fund, enabling targeted infrastructure and safety projects.For high-footfall destinations like Manali, where seasonal influx strains local systems, adhering to these standards is essential for sustainable and gender-sensitive tourism growth.