Five-Year Cruise Bharat Mission

Syllabus:GS3/ Infrastructure and Economy

Context

• The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, launched the five-year Cruise Bharat Mission from Mumbai port.

About

• The mission aims to excel India’s vision to become a global hub for cruise tourism and promote the country as the leading global cruise destination.
• It includes increasing sea cruise passengers from 0.5 million in Phase 1 to 1 million and river cruise passengers from 0.5 million in Phase 1 to 1.5 million by Phase 3. 
• It also includes developing 10 Sea Cruise Terminals, 100 River Cruise Terminals, and five Marinas under the mission.

Implementation Phases of Mission

• The implementation of the Mission is spread across three phases, running from 1 October 2024, to 31 March 2029:
  • Phase 1: Focuses on research activities, master planning, and building cruise alliances with neighboring nations along with work on modernizing existing cruise ports, marinas, and destinations.
  • Phase 2: Aims to develop additional marinas, cruise terminals, and destinations to engage high-potential cruise circuits and sites.
  • Phase 3: Continues expanding cruise terminals, marinas, and destinations, while integrating all cruise circuits across the Indian Subcontinent to signify the ecosystem’s maturity.

Three Segments of Cruise Tourism

• Ocean & Harbour Cruise: Includes ocean cruises, coastal and deep-sea excursions, as well as sailing and yachting trips from various harbors.
• River & Inland Cruise: Focuses on river and inland cruises, exploring canals, backwaters, creeks, and lakes.
• Island Cruise: Offers live-aboard excursions, boutique cruises to lesser-known locations, lighthouse tours, and inter-island cruises.

Significance of the Mission

• Promotion of Tourism: The mission will transform India’s maritime landscape and harness the potential of vast coastline and waterways through cruise tourism. 
• Economic Growth and Employment Generation: It aims to boost cruise tourism in India to 1 million passengers and create 400,000 jobs by 2029.
• Environmental Sustainability: The mission also aims to develop eco-friendly tourism infrastructure by promoting cruises in rivers and coastal areas. 

Source: BS