Cruise Bharat Mission Launched by Sarbananda Sonowal to Enhance India's Cruise Tourism Potential

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has introduced the Cruise Bharat Mission at Mumbai port. This initiative aims to enhance cruise tourism in India, with a goal to double cruise passenger numbers by 2029. The mission focuses on three cruise segments: ocean and harbour, river, inland, and island. It will unfold in three phases starting from October 1, 2024, and continue until March 31, 2029.

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The mission aspires to position India as a global cruise tourism hub. It seeks to promote the country as a leading destination for cruise travel worldwide. The plan involves developing infrastructure, improving tourist experiences, and ensuring resource sustainability. Sonowal described the mission as pivotal for revamping India's cruise sector.

Infrastructure Development and Phased Implementation

Phase 1 of the mission will run from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. This phase will focus on studies, master planning, and forming alliances with neighbouring countries. Modernising existing cruise terminals and marinas is also part of this phase to boost cruise circuit potential.

The second phase, from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027, will concentrate on developing new terminals and marinas. This aims to activate high-potential cruise locations and circuits. The third phase will integrate all cruise circuits across the Indian Subcontinent from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2029.

Growth Targets and Employment Opportunities

The mission sets ambitious performance targets across its phases. Sea cruise passengers are expected to increase from 0.5 million in Phase 1 to one million by Phase 3. Correspondingly, sea cruise calls should rise from 125 to 500. River cruise passengers are projected to grow from 0.5 million in Phase 1 to 1.5 million by Phase 3.

The number of international cruise terminals is anticipated to expand from two in Phase 1 to ten by Phase 3. River cruise terminals are expected to increase from fifty to one hundred during this period. The government has already seen a significant rise in passenger footfall since 2014.

Sonowal highlighted that the Cruise Bharat Mission aims to further build on this growth. The mission plans to double the volume of cruise calls from 254 in 2024 to five hundred by 2030 and reach eleven hundred by 2047. Passenger numbers are expected to rise from four lakh sixty thousand in 2024 to five million by 2047.

The initiative also aims to create four lakh jobs in the cruise sector during this period. "The Cruise Bharat Mission is a watershed moment in the revamp of the cruise sector of India," Sonowal stated during the launch aboard the Empress cruise ship.