Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Tourism will work together on an Action Plan to promote India as a Cruise Tourism destination and develop enabling eco-system for the growth of cruise tourism in India. A Workshop was organised by Ministry of Shipping yesterday in Delhi to discuss ‘Action Plan for Development of Cruise Tourism in India’.
Speaking on the occasion Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Shipping , Road Transport and Highways said that Cruise Tourism is one of the fastest growing components of the leisure industry worldwide, and can be a major growth driver for the Indian economy by generating huge employment opportunities. He also highlighted the role of cruise tourism as an employment multiplier with 1 job for 3-4 passengers.
With India having the potential to cater to 700 cruise ships per year as against 158 handled this year, the cruise industry can generate more than 2.5 lakh jobs for ten lakh cruise passengers, giving a big boost to the country’s economy.
He further informed that cruise terminals are being developed at five major ports – Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, Mangalore and Chennai. In addition, the transport potential of 111 inland waterways will also be tapped. Work will start for developing ten inland waterways by the end of this year. This includes the rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra on which work is already in progress, he informed.
The Minister called upon state governments to play an active role in promoting cruise tourism by developing, packaging and marketing their tourists attractions to draw more and more tourists.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/c) for Tourism & Culture said that all stakeholders have to work together and closely to realize the vast potential in the cruise tourism segment.
Secretary Tourism, Rashmi Verma said that the coming together of the Shipping and Tourism ministries to promote cruise tourism in the country would help maximize the benefits that the sector has to offer.[/vc_column_text]
