Karnataka govt vying inter-state cruise connectivity with Kerala and Goa

The Karnataka government is vying for inter-state cruise connectivity with Kerala and Goa, in a bid to give tourism a much needed fillip. According to a report in Times of India, G Janardhan Reddy, Tourism Minister, Karnataka said, “Talks are still in the early stages as the neighbouring states have only shown some interest in this mutually beneficial tourism project. We are trying our best.” Certain officials informed that the project will initially include cruise liners that cover various destinations along the state coastline and provide world-class luxury and recreation to tourists in neighbouring states. The project will be implemented on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and a private party will operate the cruise.

A senior state tourism department official said that the inter-state cruise to promote tourism is the Minister’s idea. The Minister has already discussed the project with the Kerala and Goa Tourism Ministers, who have reciprocated positively. While the state tourism department is already running cruise yachts locally at New Mangalore and Karwar ports for short distances,