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Our Bureau

Mumbai, July 11 The consortium formed by Cochin Port Trust and Kerala State Tourism Department expect that the ten-day event in connection with the stopover of Volvo Ocean Race would cost about Rs 30 crore.

Kochi was selected as one of the 11 stopovers around the world for what is is considered one of the biggest ocean racing competitions.

The Kochi port will host the stopover from December 3 to 13. About 25,000 tourists, yachting enthusiasts and business professionals are expected to converge at Kochi for the event. “More than revenue, it is an event that would offer unparalleled global visibility to Kerala tourism,” said Dr V. Venu, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, at a press conference here.

This is first time in 35 years that an Indian port will be associated with the event. “Volvo has carried out an extensive evaluation of ports in Asia and selected the Kochi port. The stopover positions Kochi as an international sailing hub,” said Mr N. Ramachandran, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust.

Some of the top multinationals doing business in India are sponsoring a majority of the nine yachts that are expected to start the 39,000 nautical miles race from Alicante in Spain on October 11.

It would stopover at Cape Town, Kochi, Singapore, Qingdao (China), Rio de Janeiro, Boston, Galway, Goteborg and Stockholm, before reaching the finishing line at St Petersburg.

The aforementioned consortium is organising a host of events, including snake boat race, during the stopover. Kerala Tourism is also planning a Kerala Houseboat Village along the Kochi backwaters. Kochi, the first time host of Volvo Ocean Race stopover, got the royalty fee of € 10 million waived off.

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