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India's tourism industry has entered a new growth phase where tourists desire more than just the traditional vacations. The cruise industry presents one of the most exciting prospects that will change the travel landscape of the country. The Indian coastline measures approximately 7,500 kilometers; it has several attractive islands, historic ports, and a variety of coastal cultural backgrounds that will help turn India into a major cruise destination in Asia.

India's untapped coastal advantage
Even though it boasts of a long coastline, cruise tourism in India has remained limited compared to the likes of Singapore, Italy, and USA. However, the geographical variety of India makes it a place of unlimited opportunities. From Goa's beaches or Kerala's backwaters to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands or India's eastern coastline, India can provide cruise tourism services that cover luxury, culture, history, culinary art, and nature.

Government push creating momentum
The government is becoming increasingly aware of cruise tourism potential. Investments in new cruise terminals, better ports, easy immigration regulations and initiatives to draw foreign cruise companies into the country are creating a positive environment. Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Goa, and Visakhapatnam are becoming bigger ports that can operate bigger vessels and provide better services to tourists.

Economic advantages beyond tourism
Cruise travel generates wealth beyond what is provided by the ships themselves. Each cruise passenger contributes towards the local economy through expenditures on hotels, restaurants, different means of transportation, shopping, entertainment and sightseeing prior to and after the cruise. Various local craftsmen, guides, taxi drivers and small business individuals benefit from the increasing flow of tourists into the locality. In addition to that, the establishment of cruise routes can bring about investments into the coastal infrastructure, create new jobs and also contribute to the development of new tourist destinations that receive little attention from tourists.

Problems to be solved
Despite the foregoing potential, it is necessary for India to overcome several obstacles in order to ensure the sustainable development of cruise tourism. Today many ports lack both good passenger terminals, the ability to provide smooth last mile transport as well as integrated touristic services.

One more point that should not be neglected is the need for cooperation of port authorities and tourist departments, private companies, and local populations.

Positioning India as a cruise tourism destination globally
India should also work on creating a stronger position on the international market. Although the country is well known for tourism related to cultural heritage, religion, and wellness, it has not gained fame as a cruise destination. Thus, the introduction of marketing strategies, establishment of cooperation agreements with cruise companies and designing tour packages introducing tourists to cruising around India can significantly improve this situation.

Moving ahead
The future of cruise tourism is not expected to completely replace the traditional tourism sector, but can become one of the most significant contributors to the growth of tourism in India. Through proper infrastructure, appropriate policy frameworks, coherent development plans, and the delivery of remarkable visitor experiences India can fully utilize its coastal areas. In this way, cruise tourism will help to diversify the tourism potential of the country and will create economic growth and living opportunities for coastal areas.
Mr. Ravi Gosain,President, IATO