The Cruise Bharat Mission is a recently launched initiative by the Indian government, aimed at boosting the cruise tourism sector in India. Read here to learn more.
The Cruise Bharat Mission is part of India’s broader tourism development strategy, aligning with initiatives like “Dekho Apna Desh” to promote domestic and international tourism.
By focusing on both coastal and riverine cruise tourism, this mission aims to unlock the potential of India’s vast maritime and inland waterways, turning the country into a major cruise destination.
Announced as part of broader tourism development efforts, it seeks to leverage India’s vast coastline, river systems, and potential for cultural, religious, and leisure-based cruise travel.
Cruise Bharat Mission: Features
India has launched the Cruise Bharat Mission to boost cruise tourism over five years, aiming to establish 10 sea cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and five marinas.
The mission seeks to double cruise calls and passengers, strengthen regional alliances, and significantly increase sea and river cruise travellers by 2029, enhancing tourism and connectivity across the country.
- Nodal ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways
- Targets:
- Boost river cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million.
- Create 400,000 jobs by the year 2029.
- Expand international cruise terminals from 2 to 10 and river cruise terminals from 50 to 100 by Phase 3.
- It will be implemented in 3 Phases as the Centre aims to increase sea cruise calls from 125 to 500 by Phase 3.
- Phase 1 (2024-2025): Conduct market research, establish cruise alliances, and modernize existing terminals.
- Phase 2 (2025-2027): Develop new cruise terminals and unlock high-potential areas for tourism.
- Phase 3 (2027-2029): Connect cruise circuits throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Cruise Bharat Mission: Significance
- Tourism Boost: The mission intends to transform India into a leading global cruise destination, utilizing its coastal and riverine resources. Cruise tourism has a high potential in attracting both domestic and international tourists.
- Infrastructure Development: To support this mission, significant investments are planned in upgrading cruise terminals, ports, and related infrastructure. This includes the modernization of major ports like Mumbai, Cochin, and Goa, among others.
- River Cruises: The mission includes a focus on river cruising, tapping into the scenic and cultural heritage of rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra, which already host a small but growing cruise tourism sector.
- Job Creation: Cruise tourism has the potential to create substantial employment opportunities across hospitality, logistics, and tourism management sectors.
- Sustainability: The mission emphasizes eco-friendly tourism practices, ensuring the conservation of marine and riverine environments.
- Collaboration: Cruise Bharat will involve public-private partnerships (PPP) and international collaboration to bring in expertise and investments in cruise technology and services.
Objectives
- Expand Cruise Offerings: From short coastal cruises to long-term international routes, India aims to diversify its cruise offerings, catering to different tourist segments.
- Enhance Economic Contribution: Cruise tourism is expected to contribute significantly to the economy by generating direct and indirect employment, boosting the hospitality sector, and increasing foreign exchange earnings.
- Attract Investments: The government is encouraging both domestic and foreign investors to develop cruise infrastructure and services, with incentives for those who participate in the sector’s growth.
Challenges
- Port Infrastructure: Developing world-class cruise terminals and supporting facilities is crucial for meeting international standards.
- Environmental Concerns: Cruise tourism must balance growth with environmental preservation, particularly concerning coastal ecosystems and waterway health.
Global Cruise Tourism Trends
- Post-Pandemic Rebound: After a significant downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic, the cruise tourism industry is seeing a strong recovery. Cruise lines have adapted to new health protocols, and traveller demand for cruise vacations is rising again, with a return to pre-pandemic levels expected by 2024-2025.
- Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Cruises: The global trend is shifting toward sustainable cruising. Many cruise companies are adopting measures to reduce their carbon footprint, such as using liquefied natural gas (LNG), hybrid power solutions, and reducing plastic waste onboard.
- Rise of Expedition Cruises: Expedition cruises to less-visited destinations like Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Galápagos Islands are gaining popularity. Travelers are seeking unique, immersive experiences with nature and wildlife, pushing demand for these specialized, smaller ships.
- Luxury Segment Growth: There is increased demand for luxury cruises, with a focus on personalized experiences, high-end amenities, and smaller ships that offer exclusivity and privacy. New luxury cruise lines and vessels have been introduced to meet this demand.
- Technological Innovations: The cruise industry is incorporating advanced technology, such as AI-powered personalization, virtual reality, and contactless services. This enhances passenger experiences and increases operational efficiency.
- Diversification of Destinations: Traditional cruise destinations like the Caribbean and Mediterranean remain popular, but there is growing interest in destinations across Asia, South America, and Africa. Emerging markets are pushing for new, diverse routes and port destinations.
Indian Cruise Tourism Trends
- Growing Interest in Domestic Cruising: India’s cruise tourism is gaining momentum, with the Cruise Bharat Mission aiming to transform the country into a global cruise destination. Indian cruises include coastal routes, river cruises, and international routes, attracting both domestic and international tourists.
- River Cruising: India’s river cruise market, especially along rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra, is growing rapidly. These cruises offer cultural, religious, and wildlife experiences, appealing to tourists seeking immersive travel experiences.
- Port Infrastructure Development: Indian ports such as Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, and Chennai are being upgraded to support larger cruise ships. The government is investing heavily in building modern cruise terminals and related facilities to enhance tourist experiences.
- Eco-Friendly Initiatives: In line with global trends, Indian cruise lines are beginning to incorporate sustainability measures, focusing on reducing their environmental impact by adopting cleaner fuels and reducing plastic use onboard.
- Challenges: India’s cruise tourism sector faces challenges such as a lack of world-class infrastructure, slow regulatory processes, and the need for more private sector investment. However, with initiatives like the Sagarmala Project and increased government interest, the sector is expected to grow rapidly.
- Tourist Preferences: Indian tourists are showing increasing interest in luxury and family cruises, and domestic players are designing products to cater to middle-class travellers looking for affordable cruising options.
Conclusion
The global and Indian cruise tourism sectors are both experiencing growth but with different focal points.
While global trends emphasize luxury, sustainability, and expedition cruises, India’s cruise industry is still developing and focuses on domestic tourism, port infrastructure upgrades, and tapping into its extensive coastline and rivers.
As both industries evolve, the future of cruising looks promising, with a potential shift towards more sustainable, experiential, and diverse offerings.
The Cruise Bharat Mission is a strategic move to unlock the potential of India’s rich maritime and riverine tourism assets.
By modernizing infrastructure and encouraging investments, the initiative seeks to make India a competitive player in the global cruise market, drawing more tourists while fostering sustainable growth.
By aligning with “Dekho Apna Desh”, a program aimed at promoting domestic tourism, the Cruise Bharat Mission also seeks to boost domestic travel and encourage Indians to explore their own country by cruise.
Through such efforts, India hopes to position itself as a competitive player in the growing global cruise tourism market while promoting sustainable practices and infrastructure development.
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-Article by Swathi Satish
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