Cruise tourism has potential to grow 10-fold: Sonowal

The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has asserted that the Indian cruise market has the potential to grow 10-fold over the next decade, driven by rising demand and disposable incomes. India aims to increase cruise passenger traffic from 0.4 million at present to 4 million.

After inaugurating the 1st Incredible India International Cruise Conference 2022 in Mumbai on Saturday, Sonowal said, “The Government of India realises this potential and is determined to position India as a global cruise hub with state-of-the-art infrastructure for both ocean and river cruises.”

Stating that India is a magnificent cruise destination, the minister said several attractions along India’s 7,500-km coastline and vast river systems are yet to be unveiled to the world. He said the global players have evinced a keen interest in promoting cruise tourism here, and with the development of the right infrastructure and adoption of modern technology, we can certainly become one of the top tourism destinations in the world.

Sonowal said that the Centre has set up a Task Force headed by the Secretaries for tourism and shipping for development of cruise tourism. He announced the setting up of a high-level advisory committee, comprising national and international experts, to help the Task Force in creating an enabling eco-system for the development of cruise tourism in the country.

Minister of state Shripad Naik said that four themebased coastal destination circuits have been developed to activate cruise demand, adding that lighthouse and island development has also been undertaken to attract coastal tourists.

Further, upgradation and modernisation are being carried out at seven major ports in the country, including the flagship New International Cruise terminal coming up in Mumbai with a total cost about Rs 495 crore. The iconic sea cruise terminal coming up at BPXIndira Dock, is expected to be commissioned by July 2024. The terminal will have a capacity of handling 200 ships and one million passengers per annum.

Meanwhile, Sonowal and Naik laid the foundation stone for the third Chemical Berth at Pir Pau Jetty of Mumbai Port Authority to handle chemicals, including LPG.

Sarbananda Sonowal and others at the first Incredible India International Cruise Conference, in Mumbai.