Cruise Bharat Mission
Context
Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterway launched Cruise Bharat Mission which seeks to tap into the country’s vast coastline, rivers, and inland waterways to attract both domestic and international tourists.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
Vision and Goals of the Cruise Bharat Mission
- The Cruise Bharat Mission is a five-year initiative to improve the country’s cruise infrastructure to cater to millions of cruise passengers.
- It envisions increasing the number of sea cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1 million by the end of the mission and river cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million.
- The mission also focuses on building 10 new sea cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and five marinas across the country.
Phases of Implementation
The Cruise Bharat Mission will be implemented in three phases, spanning from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2029.
- Phase 1 (October 2024 – March 2026): This phase is about upgrading existing cruise terminals, conducting research, planning, and forming alliances with neighboring countries to boost regional cruise circuits.
- Phase 2 (April 2026 – March 2028): Here the focus on expanding the number of marinas, cruise terminals, and tourist destinations. The aim is to identify and develop high-potential cruise circuits and tourist sites that can engage more travelers and boost the appeal of Indian cruise tourism.
- Phase 3 (April 2028 – March 2029): The final phase will focus on scaling up cruise tourism infrastructure to integrate all cruise circuits across the Indian subcontinent.
Three Segments of Cruise Tourism
- Ocean & Harbour Cruise: This segment includes ocean cruises, coastal trips, and yachting excursions. It will offer travelers the chance to explore India’s coastline and deep-sea regions. Ports and harbors will serve as hubs for these trips, making it easy for tourists to embark on cruises to both popular and lesser-known destinations.
- River & Inland Cruise: This segment focuses on river cruises, providing tourists with the opportunity to explore India’s vast network of rivers, lakes, backwaters, and creeks. This will particularly benefit states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Assam, where river tourism has significant potential. In this category, tourists can experience the natural beauty of India’s waterways while supporting local economies.
- Island Cruise: Island cruises will offer tourists live-aboard experiences, boutique trips to remote islands, and lighthouse tours. This segment aims to tap into the unique appeal of India’s islands, such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, offering travelers offbeat and scenic experiences.