Egypt,the Land of the Pharaohs, has only ONE river. The world's longest river. The mighty Nile on whose West bank are situated, the majestic Sphinx and grand Pyramids, the magnificent temples of Karnak and Luxor and the Valleys of Kings and other nobility. Tourism revenues touched $12.6 billion in 2018-2019.

Like Macau and Maldives, Egypt generates almost 60 percent of its GDP through travel and  tourism.

India, placed 54th in the World Economic Forum's 2022 travel and tourism index ranking of 117 economies, generated a meagre 6.8% of the GDP, in 2019.

So, despite Dr Sanjeev Ranjan, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' assertion that post pandemic cruise tourism registered a 35% year-on-year growth, the overall ranking and GDP is pathetic, considering that India boasts a 7,500 km long coastline and vast river systems, which have yet to be trawled by domestic tourists, never mind, those from overseas.

Those who have sailed on the blue yonder,have not been disappointed. As Mr Sanjay Basu, CEO, Far Horizon Tours Pvt. Ltd tells it, " On a cruise down the Brahmaputra, one of our customers said she felt like Katherine Hepburn in 'The African Queen.'..

Opportunities are huge, but there are a few challenges: we need to develop infrastructure."

Happily, global players continue to evince keen interest in tourism especially the cruise sector in  India, if statements at the  recent Incredible India Cruise Conference are anything to go by.  The attendance was impressive.

Over 300 delegates representing international and Indian cruiseline operators, investors,  industry experts and consultants, senior officials from the central and state governments, ports,  maritime and tourism boards attended the two day conference which spotlighted strategies for  developing India as a cruise hub,  policy initiatives, port infrastructure, and the  role of  technology in a post-pandemic world, among other related topics.

To cite just one example, Shaikh Jasem Zaiton, Executive Director, Zaiton Consultancy, Dubai,  declared he is "passionate about river cruises" , outlined cruise tourism benefits and shared a  domestic cruise tourism mindmap.

As many as eight MOUs were signed,between Governmental assurances of support , a sign  perhaps, that India's  fabled red tape might  at long last, be given short shrift.

Tellingly, the Ministerial presence  was duly noted by a foreign delegate at this first of its kind  event for the Central government-  the organisers included  the Mumbai Port Authority under the    Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in collaboration with the Federation of Indian  Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal underlined the  government's determination to position India as a global river and ocean cruise hub. Towards  that end, Mr Sonowal announced the establishment of a high-level advisory committee  comprising representatives of international cruise lines as members to assist the Apex  Committee in deliberating and anchoring measures to boost the cruise tourism sector, by  increasing cruise calls at Indian ports, developing infrastructure, and improving manpower  availability and jobs. The Secretary, Ports and Shipping and Secretary, Tourism are joint co- chairs of the apex committee.

Mr. Sonowal also announced the setting up of  three dedicated cruise training academies in  riverine Goa ( India's smallest state has 11 rivers, the lifelines of the tiny  state, as well as  numerous lakes and ponds), Kerala and West Bengal in order to tackle the talent shortage in  the sector.

“The Maritime India Vision 2030 aims to generate more than two lakh new jobs,” he said.

Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways & Tourism,  Government of India, said  upgradation and modernisation of cruise infrastructure is being  carried out at Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore, Kochi, Chennai and Vizag ports.

He said theme-based coastal destination circuits,  pilgrim tours in Gujarat on the West Coast,  cultural and scenic tours on the Southern Coast , ayurvedic wellness tours and East Coast  heritage tourism have been developed to activate cruise demand.

‘Lighthouse and Island development is also being undertaken to attract tourists’ he added.

Prior to Naik's presentation, Union Minister  Sonowal virtually inaugurated DGLL’s Kelshi Light  House in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra and the Dhanushya Kodi Light House in Tamilnadu.   Kelshi Lighthouse bridges the 85 km gap between Nanwell Point Lighthouse in Raigad District  and Tolkeshwar Lighthouse in Ratnagiri District  ensuring safety of local fishing community.

Naik's compatriot, Rohan Khaunte, Minister of Tourism, Goa, said the state is dedicated to  positioning itself as a tech-tourism state by "selling sun, sand and software.Goa has all the  potential in terms of ports, air and roads; we will look at more infrastructure support through the  Sagarmala projects”, he said,promptly inviting a Tamil Nadu official who confessed to have  never been on a cruise, to come to Goa

Mr. Rajiv Jalota, Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority and Mormugao Port Authority, maintained  that India's current cruise ecosystem, including the infrastructure and policy environment, is   "rapidly changing and will match the international standards within a reasonable time."  He  urged international cruise lines to "start making plans for business expansion into India”.  ( It may be noted  the Mumbai Port Authority is celebrating its 150th anniversary during 2022- 2023 and plans to hold a series of events, including water sports, cultural programmes,  awareness camps, heritage walks, and a marathon to celebrate the occasion.)

Fortunately, foreign delegates are willing to overlook the quick exit of Malaysia headquartered  Star Cruises from India and the "maltreatment ", to quote some Indian delegates, of Cordelia  Cruises in the case involving alleged drugs abuse by Shahrukh Khan's son  Aryan. ( It may be  recalled that an NCB team had busted an alleged drugs party at mid sea on a Cordelia Cruise  liner which was on its way to Goa on the night of October 2 last year.)

Mr. M Mathiventhan, Minister for Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, outlined tourism schemes  in the state and announced that Cordelia Cruises will be starting its maiden journey on June 4  from Chennai.

Mr. G Kamala Vardhan Rao, Director General – Tourism, Government of India, also outlined  measures undertaken to promote domestic and international tourism post- pandemic period.  He said the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Tourism have been working jointly to identify  and create routes: "the country's  rivers will offer a historical experience and state governments  are developing inland waterways tourism policies to cater to domestic tourists and international  travellers". As to when all this will fructify, is a moot point.

Perhaps, they will be galvanized into action by the success story narrates by  Joost Ouendag, Basel-based Vice President - Group Product Development,   Viking Cruises. He said the company started with a cruise in Russia, it now has 80 cruises, a  strong presence in Europe,10,000 employees, expeditions in Antarctica, the  majority of  customers are American.

Continuing in a positive vein, Mr. Arvind Sawant, Member of Parliament, asserted there is "a  huge opportunity for both cruise and commercial operations. "  Mr. Dhruv Kotak, Chairman-Ports and Shipping, FICCI Committee on Transport Infrastructure  and Managing Director, JM Baxi Group, is ambitious. He is confident India will soon figure in the  top five cruise markets in the world.

Elaborating on the government's Maritime Vision Document 2030 which  focuses on  heritage,ayurveda tourism,coastal and river cruise tourism,Dr Sanjeev Ranjan, Secretary,  Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said, "The Indian cruise tourism market has the  potential to grow  ten-fold over the next decade, driven by rising demand and disposable  incomes."

With Mumbai Port Authority now aiming to transform from a cargo port to a tourism port, J.M  Baxi is constructing an  ultra-modern international cruise terminal in Mumbai's dock precinct.  Eleven RO Pax and water taxi transportation services are already operational, and Kanhoji  Angre Island will soon be opened to the public. In addition, the world’s longest ropeway system  over the sea will connect Mumbai to the Elephanta Caves.

The second day of the conference continued the river cruise theme. Mr  Gangapuram Kishan  Reddy, GOI's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development for the Northeastern  Region,participated in the sessions on  ‘Potential of River Cruising’ and ‘Cruise Tourism:  Success Stories and Destination Development’. He also held a meeting with leaders of  International Cruise lines.

In his address to delegates, he said that the promotion of coastal tourism through beach, lighthouse and cruise tourism will help fishing communities to find alternate livelihood opportunities to supplement their income.

The minister informed that under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has  sanctioned ten projects under coastal thematic circuits worth Rs. 648.80 crore across various  States / Union Territories.

The Government has also sanctioned 228.61 crores for various projects on developing cruise  terminals and related infrastructure at major ports under the ''Assistance to Central Agencies for  Tourism Infrastructure Development'' scheme. These include the development of cruise  terminals, lighthouses, and other tourist infrastructure in Goa, Mumbai, and Visakhapatnam.

Mr Reddy  said the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi  has made "significant efforts to clean and rejuvenate our rivers including the mammoth Ganges  Project, which can  provide a major boost to river-based tourist activities’.

Citing upcoming opportunities, Minister Reddy said there are around 150 conferences planned   in the G-20 countries ( where India can showcase its attractions).

The second-day of the Conference also covered contactless on-boarding to meet customer  expectations for safety protocols, technology initiatives at   terminals (infrared camera, thermal scanning, facial recognition, etc.), and the availability of  telemedicine with its remote clinical services, among others. The sessions also  explored  the  adoption of best foreign practices appropriate for Indian conditions, and a clear policy on vessel  availability and deployment.

Interestingly, a  couple of Indian  delegates suggested that simple sheds and marquees would  suffice instead of state of the art cruise terminals.  One foreign delegate declared that   "All that the new arrival wants to do,is rush from the disembarkation dock to the hotel."

We beg to disagree. As airline passengers,we enjoy dawdling at duty free, checking out perfumes and other goodies, and buying chocolates. Why should cruise passengers be denied a similar leisurely experience on disembarkation? Equally interestingly, no one mentioned Egypt's spectacular success in catering to all segments in its river cruise tourism, from high-end luxury cruises to budget trips on small boats. Or for that matter, Viet Nam. Joy to the world! This correspondent has been there,done that.

Sea And Coast