According to a PIB release, Kumari Selja, Union Minister for Tourism said that with the Indian Economy developing at a steady pace, middle class growing in number and increasingly possessing disposable incomes which can be spent on leisure activities, India could also take on cruise shipping in a big way. Speaking on the occasion of announcement of arrival of International Cruising ship Aquamarine in India recently, Selja said that India with its vast coastline, virgin forests and undisturbed idyllic islands, historical and cultural heritage, can be a good tourist destination for cruise tourists. In the function, the Kerala government was represented by Anand Kumar, Resident Commissioner in Delhi.
Referring to the Indian government’s efforts to promote the sector, Selja said, the Cruise Shipping Policy was approved on June 26, 2008 with the aim to develop India both as source and destination market, to increase the number of cruise ship calls and passenger arrivals in a sustainable manner. |