Tag Archives: Cruise Tourism

Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary Madhya Pradesh Tourism said, “Long distance, intra-state cruises will be a new attraction for 2024. We have a buoyant plan for cruise tourism in 2024. The main attraction will be the nearly 130 km inter-state cruise on river Narmada.”

Cruise, Offbeat and Rural tourism to be integral part of 2024 trajectory  In an effort to boost tourism the Madhya Pradesh government has mapped an innovative strategy for 2024. Besides introducing new elements, the government plans to revamp and broaden the existing schemes to add more vibrancy to the sector. Cruise tourism, all women rides, safety of women, wellness and rural vacations will be an integral part of the 2024 trajectory. Mr. Sheo Shekhar Shukla Principal Secretary Tourism said, “We designed a multi-pronged strategy for tourism in 2023.  In 2024, the plan is to make it more holistic, inclusive, sustainable, eco-friendly and adventure packed.” Cruise Tourism, New Trails Mr. Shukla who is also the Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board said, “We have a buoyant plan for cruise tourism in 2024. The main attraction will be the nearly 130 km inter-state cruise on river Narmada from the Statue of Oneness in Omkareshwar to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The multi-option, multi-destination cruises, will be punctuated with rural experiences in between the two destinations. Elaborating on other cruise projects lined up for 2024 Shukla said that plans were afoot to link the Rajhat Dam near Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh to Deogarh in Uttar Pradesh. “Long distance, intra-state cruises will be a new attraction for 2024,” he added. Intra-state cruises from Miakal Resort in Bargi near Jabalpur to Tindini in Mandla district, Dharaji in Dewas to Sailani Tapu east of Omkareshwar, Sanjit village to the tent city of Gandhi Sagar are also on the anvil. The Tawa-Madhai cruise will be given a facelift by adding new experiences. Identifying and developing new trekking trails in various buffer zones of National Parks/Sanctuaries …

Learn more about the largest cruise ship in domestic waters – Costa Serena – and its sailings ex Mumbai and Cochin in November and December 2023 at this exclusive webinar on September 21 at 3pm. It will highlight specially curated itineraries for a truly international experience with an Indian touch. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Naveen Kundu, MD, Ebixcash pointed out “India is set to become a domestic cruise hub, but regulations, cruise lines, and infrastructure need immediate attention”. Additionally, he informed cruises will come to India if there is favourable environment and infrastructure

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has said that currently there are 0.4 million cruise passengers who board cruises from India. “The target is to take it to 4 million by 2040. For that, there is work already going in strengthening of infrastructure and developing new circuits,” he added.

A national side event on ‘Making India a hub for Cruise Tourism’ organized at 4th TWG meeting. The focus areas of discussion was during the event were principles of sustainability & multiple facets from Coastal States, private & public stakeholders in cruise tourism

In view of the growing potential of Cruise Tourism and the vast opportunities that it presents, Ministry of Tourism is organizing side events on Cruise Tourism on the sidelines of the fourth G20 Tourism Working Group meeting at Goa from 19-20 June 2023

Kishan Reddy, Minister of Tourism & Culture has informed that to harness the potential of Cruise Tourism in the country, a Task Force has been constituted with Secretary (Tourism) as the Chairman and Secretary (Shipping) as the Co-chairman.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, on his recent visit to Goa, said that the MOT is working in synergy with the Rail Ministry, Civil Aviation and Shipping Ministry to encourage cruise tourism under Sagar Mala. “Cruise tourism will be developed on a mission mode which will greatly benefit Goa,” he said. He also informed that there are plans to connect Chennai, Vizag and Andaman with Goa through cruise tourism.

As cruise tourism gains momentum in India after a successful trial of cargo movement to Bangladesh via the inland waterways protocol route, a transboundary river cruise operation is expected to start from Kolkata in March next year through Sunderbans to Bangladesh first, and then towards the Northeast, a senior official said. SVK Reddy, Member, Inland Waterways Authority of India, during a seminar organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in the city recently, said, “Bilateral secretary-level meetings between India and Bangladesh were held in October. It has been decided that one of the river cruise operators would be starting operations from March 2019 from Kolkata through Sunderbans via the protocol route to Bangladesh and then to northeast.” Abdus Samsah, Shipping Secretary, Bangladesh had earlier said that private players will be allowed to operate river cruise between the two countries, which will cover about 1,539 km. Both sides also agreed to allow private operators to run cruise to Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. Reddy also informed that night navigation facility has been installed up to the Indian border, while Bangladesh is expected to do the same. He said India has agreed to fund up to 80 per cent of the dredging cost in some identified stretches within Bangladesh in the Indo-Bangla protocol route to make it navigable.