New Delhi: It may be the result of government's initiative to promote cruise tourism that 1.62 lakh cruise passengers have visited the country in 2017-18. The information regarding cruise passengers was made public by Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons in a reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Monday.
The minister further added that projects of Rs 106.39 crore have been sanctioned by Tourism Ministry for development of cruise terminals in four states.
"A task force on cruise tourism has been formed jointly by the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Shipping with representatives of all major ports and stakeholders for coordinated efforts to create an enabling ecosystem for the development of cruise tourism in India," the minister said in his reply.
"During the year 2017-18, a total of 1, 62,660 cruise passengers visited India at six major ports namely Mumbai Port, Chennai Port, Cochin Port, Kolkata Port, New Mangalore Port and Mormugao Port," he said, adding, "During the same period, total 139 cruise ships visited India at six major ports namely Mumbai Port, Mormugao Port, New Mangalore Port, Cochin Port, Chennai Port and Kolkata Port."
Explaining about the steps being taken to increase the flow of cruise tourists in the country, the minister said, "The government had allowed foreign flag vessels carrying passengers to call at Indian ports for a period of 10 years without obtaining a license in February 2009. This facility has been extended further for a period of 5 years i.e. up to February 5, 2024."