In a big development towards pushing cruise tourism in India, the Government of India has signed a deal with four internationally renowned cruise lines and set a vision for 2041.
According to Dr M Beena, Chairperson, Cochin Port Authority, Costa Cruises, MSC, Norwegian Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises will commence their domestic sailings in India between November and December 2023.
“These cruise ships dominate 80 per cent of the cruise market, therefore, it is a historical moment for India’s domestic tourism,” Beena told ETTravelWorld on the sidelines of the 4th Tourism Working Group Meeting in Goa.
The cruise companies said Beena might come in with smaller vessels to kickstart the sailings but gradually increase the guest holding capacity. “Currently, there is Cordelia Cruises which carries approx 2500-3000 passengers; the new cruise ships might surpass these numbers,” Beena continued.
A day before the Tourism Working Group Meeting in Goa, Costa Cruises had officially announced its winter sailings in India, in the presence of: Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, shipping & waterways, Government of India. Costa Serena, the largest Costa vessel, will launch 23 new cruises in India for the upcoming season, sailing between November 4, 2023, to January 1, 2024.
According to the sources, the itineraries, ranging from two to five days accommodating approx 3780 guests, will cover destinations like Mumbai, Cochin, and Goa, along with the inclusion of the Lakshadweep islands for the first time.
This significant development marks a pivotal step towards establishing India as a premier cruise destination while showing the increased confidence of international cruise liners towards India’s burgeoning cruise potential. This also aligns well with the deliberations taken up actively at the TWG Meet in Goa.
Speaking further, Beena provided additional insights into the growth potential of India’s cruise industry highlighting that in 2016, the number of cruise passengers stood at a mere 0.2 million. However, the ambitious vision for India’s tourism industry aims to witness a staggering increase to four million passengers by 2041.
As the world eagerly anticipates the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting, the spotlight shines bright on the captivating realm of cruise tourism and the collective efforts of stakeholders, policymakers and communities arising out of it, said MoS for Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shripad Yesso Naik. The Tourism Working Group meeting commences tomorrow in Goa with a side event on Cruise Tourism.
The economic potential of the cruise tourism sector is poised for a remarkable surge as well. According to Beena, the sector’s revenue was INR 712 crore in 2016. However, by 2041, it is projected to shoot up to INR 35,500 crore.
Furthermore, the number of passenger ships is projected to rise from 166 recorded in 2016 to an impressive 955 by 2041. As part of this growth, Mumbai’s cruise potential is expected to gain substantial momentum with the upcoming International Cruise Terminal G+3, scheduled to become operational by December 2023, said Beena. Once the terminal commences operations, the city alone is anticipated to welcome 3.2 million passengers by 2041.
Cushioning the growth potential with circuits, policy initiatives:
To further tap into India’s immense coastal tourism potential, the government has identified four theme-based coastal destination circuits, shared Beena.
The Gujarat Pilgrimage tours will tap into the existing market of four million tourists visiting Dwarka, Veraval, Somnath, Porbandar, and Diu, catering to the needs of pilgrim tourism. The West Coast will focus on cultural and scenic tours, highlighting attractions such as Sindhudurg forts, historical trading centers, temples, beaches, and the backwaters of Kerala.
Kerala’s coastline will be harnessed for Ayurvedic wellness and scenic tourism, capitalising on the state’s rich cultural heritage and biodiversity. The East Coast will offer heritage tourism circuits, leveraging attractions like Mahabalipuram and the Sri Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple to cater to the demand from both domestic and foreign tourists, informed Beena.
The government also plans to explore potential linkages with India Tourism/ State Tourism Departments, develop ferry circuits across India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar, and establish a dedicated cruise action team within the Indian Maritime Centre for effective governance and oversight.
To further support the growth of cruise tourism and welcome more cruise brands to Indian shorelines, the government has also introduced various policy initiatives, including guaranteed berths for cruise ships, removal of ousting charges, a concessional uniform single rate for all major ports, e-Visa and on-arrival visa facilitation, a single e-landing card valid for all ports in the cruise itinerary, and waived cabotage for foreign cruise vessels, Beena revealed.
Additionally, the government has upgraded and modernised existing cruise terminals and constructed new ones to accommodate the growing demand. Besides the Mumbai Terminal, the International Cruise Terminal in Mormugao (Goa) will be operational by November 2023, providing another entry point for cruise travellers. Visakhapatnam is also making significant progress, with its own cruise terminal set to be operational by June 2023.
New Mangalore has also introduced a modern and dedicated cruise passenger lounge, spread over 2150 sq. ft, to enhance the overall cruise experience. Whereas, Cochin and Chennai currently boast dedicated cruise terminals.
Beena further stated that the government is also keen on analysing and aligning standardised operating procedures with international cruise terminals, implementing skill development initiatives, and utilising digital platforms for efficient documentation processes.
Cruising the way forward:
Looking ahead, the government aims to upgrade infrastructure facilities at Indian ports, including non-major ports, to accommodate larger and more numerous cruise ships. Standardised operating procedures are being analysed to align with international cruise terminals and operations, Beena informed.
Skill development initiatives will be implemented in the cruise tourism sector, and digital platforms will be utilised to streamline ship and passenger-related documents.
The government also aims to provide customs and immigration assistance for river cruises along the Bangladesh border and will include a senior immigration official as a member of the HLAC to address immigration issues raised by cruise lines.
“Sub-groups and nodal officers from various authorities, including ports, immigration, customs, PHO, CISF, and local administration, will closely monitor cruise operations to ensure seamless experiences and address any challenges promptly,” Beena stated.
In conversation with ETTravelWorld, Raj Singh, CEO & Founder of Antara Luxury River Cruises spoke about India’s potential as a cruise tourism hub, the need for sustainable utilisation of waterways, importance of government support in infrastructure development and the presentation planned for the Tourism Working Group meeting in Goa. Read here for more details…
On the promotional front, dedicated marketing campaigns will be launched to attract global cruise lines and passengers, she added. Further, the lighthouses are being considered as potential day excursion destinations for cruise passengers. Efforts are afoot to develop the island ecosystem in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, turning them into attractive cruise destinations.
India also plans to link river cruise destinations with sea-bound locations, review international best practices in cruise tourism, and conduct an ecosystem gap assessment to align with global standards. Efforts will also be made to improve existing processes for enhanced efficiency at cruise terminals, ensuring a seamless and remarkable passenger experience, according to Beena.
“We all need to come together, be it the central government, tour operator, shipping line, shipping agent, the port authorities or the immigration, to ensure we leverage the best of what the cruise tourism sector has to offer in India,” Beena concluded.
