A total of 1,62,660 passengers on 139 cruise ships visited India during 2017-18, at six ports — Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Kolkata, New Mangalore and Mormugao. The statistics was briefed by the State Minister of Tourism, KJ Alphons, in the Lok Sabha.The aggregation showed a low as compared to that of the year 2016 -17 when 2,00,00 cruise passengers on 158 cruise ships visited India at five major ports of Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore Port, Cochin and Chennai during that period.
Quite clearly, the year 2016 – 17 projected a positive growth than of the previous year in the field of cruise tourism. With this growth, it was being estimated that the number of cruise passengers would rise to almost 40 lakh by 2042 – 43. Likewise the cruise ships could also be enumerated at 955.
So, ‘where lies the lacunae’ – is the thing to be mulled into. ‘Cruise tourism’ is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing sectors of the holiday industry worldwide. It is emerging as a new marketable product as well. India with its vast coastline, virgin forests and unspoiled peaceful islands, rich historical and cultural heritage, can undoubtedly be served as a fabulous tourist destination for cruise tourists.
We simply cannot blame the Government because The Ministry of Shipping has brought out a Vision Document with a view to develop India as a cruise tourism destination. The document conceptualizes to develop infrastructure for cruise tourism at ports, with special focus on developing the domestic cruise industry through policy supports and incentives. The developmental work is going on under the collaboration of the Ministry of Shipping & Ministry of Tourism.
Though India is not much into the domain of luxury cruises, as it is a high-end segment of tourism sector, the recent launching of the luxury liner ‘Jalesh’ of Essel groups is a path maker for sure. Undeniably the cruise tourism operations add to the local economic activities as business opportunities arise for supply for provisions, transport, hotels, bunkering, etc to cruise ships which generate direct and indirect employment and help in growth of local economy as well as that of the country in a wider aspect.
