Sonowal Launches ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ to Transform India’s Cruise Tourism Sector

The initiative aims to double cruise passenger traffic by 2029 and position India as a leading global cruise destination.

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, officially launched the ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ today from the Mumbai port, marking a significant step towards enhancing cruise tourism in India. The mission aims to capitalize on the country's immense potential for cruise tourism by doubling the number of cruise passengers by 2029. Shri Shantanu Thakur, the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, joined Sonowal for this historic event.

Shri Sonowal launched the mission aboard the cruise ship 'Empress' and expressed that the initiative aligns with India’s vision to become a global hub for cruise tourism. The Cruise Bharat Mission will be implemented in three phases, spanning from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2029.

Phased Implementation

Phase 1 (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025): This phase will focus on conducting studies, master planning, and forming alliances with neighboring countries. It will also involve modernizing existing cruise terminals, marinas, and destinations to optimize cruise circuits.

Phase 2 (October 1, 2025 – March 31, 2027): The emphasis will shift towards developing new cruise terminals, marinas, and destinations to activate high-potential cruise locations.

Phase 3 (April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2029): This final phase aims to integrate all cruise circuits across the Indian subcontinent, marking the maturation of the cruise ecosystem while continuing infrastructure development.

Key Performance Targets

The mission sets ambitious targets, aiming to increase sea cruise passengers from 0.5 million in Phase 1 to 1 million by Phase 3. Additionally, the number of sea cruise calls is projected to grow from 125 to 500. River cruise passengers are expected to rise from 0.5 million to 1.5 million, while the number of international cruise terminals will expand from 2 to 10, and river cruise terminals will increase from 50 to 100. Employment in the sector is anticipated to grow from 0.1 million to 0.4 million by the end of the mission.

Ministerial Insights

During the launch, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal stated, “The ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ represents a watershed moment for revamping India’s cruise sector. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, our government is committed to harnessing the tremendous potential of India’s Blue Economy. With this mission, we aim to transform our maritime landscape, leveraging our vast coastline and waterways for cruise tourism.”

The mission focuses on key pillars such as infrastructure development, enhancing the cruise experience for tourists, and ensuring sustainable resource management. It aims to create world-class infrastructure while leveraging technology for a seamless experience during embarkation and disembarkation.

Economic and Community Benefits

The initiative will promote the cultural, historical, and natural circuits of the Indian Subcontinent, ensuring inclusive growth for all stakeholders, including ports, cruise lines, vessel operators, tour operators, service providers, and local communities. The mission emphasizes responsible involvement from regulatory agencies, including Customs, Immigration, and local authorities.

Shri Sonowal further noted that the mission expects to increase passenger numbers from 460,000 in 2024 to 5 million by 2047, creating 400,000 jobs in the cruise sector during this period.

Cruise Segments Targeted

The Cruise Bharat Mission targets three main cruise segments:

Ocean & Harbour Cruise: This includes deep-sea and coastal cruises, along with harbour-based yachting and sailing.

River & Inland Cruise: Focused on cruises on rivers, canals, backwaters, and lakes.

Island Cruise: Encompasses inter-island cruises, lighthouse tours, and boutique cruises to lesser-known destinations.

Strategic Pillars of the Mission

The mission has identified five strategic pillars for implementation:

Sustainable Infrastructure & Capital: Addressing infrastructure gaps and developing world-class terminals, marinas, and water aerodromes.

Operations Including Technology: Streamlining operations for smooth embarkation and disembarkation with a focus on digital solutions.

Cruise Promotion & Circuit Integration: Focusing on international marketing, investment promotion, and forming alliances with neighboring countries.

Regulatory, Fiscal & Financial Policy: Creating tailored policies for cruise tourism, including a National Cruise Tourism Policy.

Capacity Building and Economic Research: Emphasizing skill development and creating a Centre of Excellence for cruise-related economic research.

The Cruise Bharat Mission is poised to elevate India's cruise tourism sector and create lasting opportunities for generations to come.

The launch event included notable leaders from the cruise industry, such as Rahul Narvekar, Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, T.K. Ramchandran, Secretary of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, and Jurgen Bailom, CEO of Cordelia Cruises, along with other dignitaries and stakeholders.