India's Yacht Tourism Plan: Boosting an Untapped Potential

The Indian government, led by Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, is devising a plan to enhance yacht tourism. Despite a 7,500-kilometer coastline, India lacks international-standard marinas. Sonowal emphasized the economic benefits and employment opportunities associated with developing this sector, drawing comparisons to countries like Croatia and Italy.

The Indian government is taking decisive steps to promote yacht tourism and personal boating within the country, according to Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

With a 7,500-kilometer coastline, India surprisingly lacks even a single international-standard marina—a glaring omission compared to smaller countries like Croatia and Italy, which have capitalized on their coastlines through extensive marina projects.

Sonowal stressed that developing yacht tourism could provide significant employment opportunities, noting that each yacht creates 20 jobs, thereby adding a new dimension to India's growing cruise tourism sector.

(With inputs from agencies.)