The Hindu Business Line : Indian Ocean cruise circuit: Five ports to join hands with CIOA

AT its meeting held in Mumbai last week, the Central Marketing Apparatus (CMA) of the National Committee on Cruise Shipping has decided to tie up with the Kenya-based Cruise Indian Ocean Association (CIOA) to promote the Indian Ocean cruise circuit in a big way.

The CMA meeting has also decided to hire the services of Sea Trade Cruise Review, leading publishers in the cruise industry, to make exclusive features on Indian ports and destinations. The Kochi Port Chairman, Dr Jacob Thomas, will liaisewith the CIOA to finalise the modalities of the tie-up. Kochi Port will be among the five ports on the west coast of India that will join forces with the CIOA for the promotion of the Indian Ocean cruise circuit, Dr Thomas said. This would be a major step for Kochi in the direction of its aspiration to emerge as a popular cruise destination.

The other ports that will join the association are Mumbai, Goa, New Mangalore and Tuticorin.The CIOA, which was established during the PMAESA (Port Management of East and South Africa) in Mombassa during 2000, is currently headed by Mr Brown M.M Ondego, Managing Director, Kenya Ports Authority. It consists of the National Ports Authority of South Africa, Mauritius Ports Authority, Tanzania Harbours Authority, Kenya Tourist Board, Comite du Tourisme de Mayotte, France, Office National du Tourisme, Bujumbura, Port Reunion, France, Tanzanian Tourist Board, Ports and Marine, Seychelles, Massawa Port, Eritrea and Tropic Tours and Travel, Madagascar.

The setting up of a Central Cruise Secretariat to create better coordination among the five ports was also decided at the CMA meeting.