Chennai: The decision to increase the cruise liner traffic by 10-fold to 700 vessels a year, as well as developing world-class port berths for cruise ships are expected to augment the development of cruise tourism as one of India’s economic growth engines. It would also benefit Tamil Nadu, too, in a big way say, experts.
The country would be in a position to have its fair share of the global cruise tourism pie. According to sources, Asia is fast emerging as the new growth frontier for the global cruise tourism industry, both as a source market and a cruise destination. The dawn of the Asian cruise is here and Genting Hong Kong and its Genting Cruise Lines division, which consist of Star Cruises, Dream Cruises and Crystal Cruises, continue to be at the forefront, taking the lead in stimulating the cruise tourism sector in Asia.
As per an estimate, the growth momentum of the local cruise market in India as a source market and a cruise destination has been very positive. This steady growth which is attracting larger sections is evolving as a trend, it is pointed out. In order to cash in on the abundant opportunities, there is a need to promote port terminals and further upgrade the infrastructure so as to make the ports cruise-friendly destinations, say sources.
The government has announced to develop Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore, Chennai and Kochi as cruise hubs, in the initial phase and the move is hailed by those in the cruise tourism sector, as this would make India occupy an enviable position in Asia in the near future. Further, cruise tourism will also have a positive effect on other tourism segments like hotel accommodation and transportation. It would also help create business and job opportunities at the homeports.
