India Starts the Cruise Bharat Mission to Increase Travel

The Indian government on Wednesday launched a new initiative named Cruise Bharat Mission, to promote cruise tourism in the country The Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal was formally flagged off at the Mumbai port on board the cruise ship 'Empress'. The aim of the projects is to utilise Indias potential for a major cruise destination also create ease in expansion of Cruise ship traffic. Cruise passenger volume will double by 2029

With Cruise Bharat Mission, India aims to become the global hub of cruise tourism by developing infrastructure optimizing marketing and branding campaigns for the country as well as enhancing overall experience. The undertaking will happen in three progressive stages

Phase 1 (2024-2025):

• Conduct research, develop plans and align with the countries around you.
• Enhance technology in current cruise terminals and marinas.

Phase 2 (2025-2027):

• Construct new cruise terminals and develop high-yield worthy ports.

Phase 3 (2027-2029):

• Integrate cruise routes along the Indian subcontinent and develop further its input infrastructure

Performance Targets:

• Gradual rise in sea cruise passengers from 0.5 million during first phase to a further one lakh by third phase

Key Pillars of the Mission:

• Developing greenfield and brownfield port SEZ with sustainable infrastructure & capitalWorld class cruise terminals& marinas.
• Operations and Technology: Reducing operation cost of cruises.
• Cruise Promotion & Circuit Integration Promote India's cruises internationally.
• Enabling Policies: Framing laws and fiscal policies to actively promote growth in cruise tourism.

Expected Impact:

• Generate 400,000 new jobs and passenger-focused cruise improvements.