International Cruise Terminal, Mumbai

Abstract

'Cruise Shipping' is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing components of the leisure industry worldwide. It is fast emerging as a new marketable product. India with its vast and beautiful coastline, virgin forests and undisturbed idyllic islands, rich historical and cultural heritage, can be a fabulous tourist destination for cruise tourists. With the Indian economy developing at a steady pace, middle class growing in number and increasingly possessing disposal incomes which could be spent on leisure activities, Indians could also take on cruise shipping in a big way. The Cruise Shipping Policy of the Ministry of Shipping was approved by the Government of India on 26th June, 2008. The objective of the policy is to make India as an attractive cruise tourism destination with the state-of-the-art infrastructural and other facilities at various parts in the country; to attract the right segment of the foreign tourists to cruise shipping in India; to popularize cruise shipping with Indian tourists. The Ministry of Tourism has accordingly included promotion of Cruise Shipping under its "New initiatives". A Steering Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary (Shipping) that would act as a nodal body to address all issues regarding Cruise Tourism. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism is the Member Secretary of this Committee. Tourism has, since the 1950s, become an extremely popular, global activity. In 2007, international tourist arrivals grew by 6.6% to reach a new record figure of 903 million international tourist arrivals. A cruise is generally a defined package that includes a cruise itinerary spanning a defined period of time. A cruise ship or cruise liner is a for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are a part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way. Transportation is not the prime purpose, as cruise ships operate mostly on routes that return passengers to their originating port, so the ports of call are usually in a specified region of a continent. Cruises, which were at one time considered the prerogative of the rich, the only option for the aged and the natural choice for honeymooners, is today fast reaching the wider leisure market. Representing one of the fastest growing sectors worldwide, cruise market trends indicate a qualitativeas well as quantitative consolidation in the industry, with cruising gaining greater significance in theglobal ‘tourism pie’ and successful seizing a significant ‘niche’ market.