The India Cruise Tourism Policy is likely to be cleared during the year and is expected to provide the much needed boost with a slew of initiatives to this untapped business opportunity, according to Mr Nikhil Thakurdas, Director of CruiseBay.

The focus of the initiative, which is at final stages of Parliament approval, is on developing the support infrastructure for cruise services, both overseas tours and on inland waterways, he said.

Addressing a press conference here today to announce the opening of their services in Hyderabad, their sixth in the country, Mr Thakurdas said the potential is huge going by the number of Indian travellers opting for cruise in other countries. Most of the travellers to the Far East take cruise liners either in Singapore or Hong Kong.

“To encourage cruise tourism, most countries first develop infrastructure, which is essential when the cruises land, similar to international airports. The Government has identified, Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore, Kochi and Tuticorin to promote cruise tourism,” he explained.

In addition, efforts are under way to develop further inland cruise services between Mandovi and Zuari in Goa, on river Brahmaputra in Assam and Hooghly river in west Bengal.

“CruiseBay a start-up into third year, has partnered with over 30 cruise service providers globally offering travel and facilitation. It currently operates out of six cities, he said.

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