Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
Context
- India is leveraging its extensive coastline and inland waterways to unlock the economic and tourism potential of cruise tourism
What is Cruise tourism?
- Cruise tourism refers to travel for leisure or recreational purposes on a cruise ship where the voyage itself and the ship’s amenities are a part of the experience, along with the different destinations along the route.
- It encompasses a range of activities offered both onboard and offboard, tailored to enhance the tourist’s experience.
Potential of India in Cruise Tourism
- India has significant capabilities in cruise tourism for the coastal & river sector. This is due to the presence of:
- 12 Major and 200 Minor Ports along the coastline of India,
- Network of more than 20000 kilometres long navigable 110 waterways connecting around 400 rivers,
- There are multiple states, union territories and 1300 islands in India which are along the coastline or along the banks of states and interstate rivers or national waterways.
River Cruise Tourism
- River Cruise Tourism is a form of leisure travel that takes place on rivers and inland waterways using cruise vessels.
- Key Features of River Cruise Tourism are as;
- Short-distance travel: Cruise covers shorter stretches compared to ocean cruises.
- Access to interior regions: It connects towns, cities, and villages along rivers, often areas that are not accessible by large ships.
- Cultural immersion: Tourists experience local traditions, festivals, architecture, and cuisine.
- Examples:
- In 2023, MV Ganga Vilas, the world’s longest river cruise, was launched to cover a 3,200-kilometer journey from Varanasi to Dibrugarh. It traversed 27 river systems across five Indian states and Bangladesh.
- Houseboats in Kerala in the backwaters of Alappuzha.
Steps taken by the Indian Government
- Cruise Bharat Mission: The ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ was launched in 2024, from the Mumbai port.
- The programme aims to propel the country’s cruise tourism industry by doubling cruise passenger traffic within five years; i.e. by 2029.
- In FY 2023- 24, the number of cruise passengers was 4.71 lakhs.
- Maritime India Vision 2030: The Government of India’s vision is to make India a significant player in the global cruise market, both for ocean and river cruises.
- The ‘River Cruise Tourism Roadmap, 2047’ was launched at the inaugural session of IWDC (Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting.
- This Roadmap focuses on four pillars, including Infrastructure, Integration, Accessibility, and Policy for promoting river cruise tourism.
Concluding remarks
- India’s cruise tourism is setting sail towards becoming a dynamic part of its economic and cultural narrative.
- With expansive networks of rivers and coastlines, and government-led vision plans the country is well-positioned to become a global cruise tourism hub.
Source: PIB
Previous article
Censorship of Social Media