VISAKHAPATNAM: The opening of the Visakhapatnam International Cruise Terminal (VICT) on September 4 would significantly promote international travel.

Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) and the Union Tourism Ministry jointly created the Rs 96.05 crore VICT, which will be officially opened by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.

 

The terminal can accommodate the berthing of boats with a 2,000 passenger capacity and an 8.1 meter draft. The terminal includes parking for 400 two-wheelers, 70 vehicles, and seven buses. India has a great possibility with cruise tourism. Its market is worth $7.1 billion in the US.

 

According to port officials, VICT delivers top-notch port facilities with effective services. While the ministry of ports has provided guidelines for a cruise concessional pricing, VPA will further investigate potential savings.

 

In a number of industries, including hospitality, aviation, agriculture, retail, entertainment, manufacturing, information services, and health care, the cruise industry supports 1.17 million employment worldwide. The cruise industry would provide a significant amount of jobs, which will be very beneficial for India and Andhra Pradesh. 

 

In addition to beaches, hills, caverns, animals, forests, and temples, Andhra Pradesh also features a number of other tourist attractions. With 14% of all national foot traffic, AP is the third most popular tourism attraction for visitors from within the country.

 

As more and more tourism-related projects are being developed in Andhra Pradesh, the number of foreign visitors will only rise. According to a Port Authority official, "the port is closely collaborating with both the Union Ministry of Tourism and the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department."

 

The Cordelia, Royal Caribbean, and MSC cruise lines are in contact with the Visakhapatnam Port Authority. India currently offers the following cruise itineraries: Mumbai- High Seas- Goa- Mumbai; Mumbai- Diu- Mumbai; Chennai- Trincomalee- Chennai; Mumbai- Venice; Mumbai- Male; Mumbai- Athens; Kolkata-Bangladesh; and Mumbai- Singapore.