Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14 inaugurated a slew of projects, including the Cochin Port Trust’s International Cruise Terminal and Cochin Shipyard’s Vigyana Sagar, campus for Marine Engineering Training Institute. “The government is dedicated to developing infrastructure to boost tourism. The International Cruise Terminal is an example of good tourism infrastructure,” said the honourable PM at the event. It will cater to over one lakh cruise guests giving them both comfort and convenience.
Sharing details on how all this started a few years back, Sarab Jit Singh, MD, KTC; Founder and former Vice Chairman, FAITH and Former Sr. Vice President. IATO said, “A delegation comprising 40 people ranging from local Tour Operators from Mumbai, senior officials from various travel tour companies like TCI, Cox & Kings, A&K etc. along with Mr. Subhash Goyal, Mr. Ashish Gupta from FAITH and myself met up with the Secretary Shipping. Soon after this meeting, Bombay Port Trust made a proposal to Ministry of Shipping, proposing the existing terminal may be converted into Cruise Tourism Terminal and Cargo Terminal can be developed elsewhere. Mr. Gadkari, Minister Shipping escalated this proposal to cover all western coast ports to create facilities for Cruise tourism under Sagar Mala Scheme. A committee was formed by him consisting Secretary Shipping, Secretary Tourism and FAITH representative to further the cause. Thus, it would be safe to say that seeds of what we are seeing today in terms of Cruise Tourism Terminal were sown by FAITH / IATO. This move will provide the much-needed boost to cruise tourism in India.”
Kochi Port Terminal is dedicated to tourism now and the rest of the terminals will also get completed within this year. It is a big boost to cruise tourism in India.
