The Hindu : National : Cruise-shipping the newest fad in Asia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 13, 2005

National

National

Cruise-shipping the newest fad in Asia

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, FEB. 12. Once restricted to the rich and elderly in the developed western world, cruise-shipping is fast catching up in Asian countries, including India, especially among the adventure-loving younger sections of society.

Given the long coastline dotted with sylvan and scenic spots in the country, cruise-shipping has tremendous potential to drive economic growth, generate employment and benefit the hospitality industry. Though the sector was registering an eight per cent growth globally, the country was yet to come up as an attractive destination and as a corollary unable to attract enough cruise-liners.

"There could be many reasons for this which we must identify and tackle," T.R. Baalu, Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, said at the first national workshop on cruise-shipping in Mumbai today.

Policy

Towards resolving the irritants and taking note of the potential, the Shipping Ministry was in the process of formulating a policy on cruise-shipping, a sector that it sought to develop as a thrust area. According to an official release, Mr. Baalu announced that a high- power steering group under his chairmanship and with the Union Minister of State for Tourism as the co-chairperson had been set up recently. The first meeting of the group, on December 14, deliberated on the draft concept and policy paper for cruise-shipping.

"Various issues concerning the sector have been taken up and working groups have been formed to tackle all the issues. Two of the working groups have finalised their reports, which will come up before the steering group ... The work of other groups is also progressing well and I hope that we will be very soon compile their recommendations and give a final shape to the proposed policy."

Noting that the Centre had relaxed the cabotage for the cruise liners with effect from December 26, 2003, Mr. Baalu said: "It is also considering to relax it for a further period."

Assuring that the roadblocks and other irritants in the way of development of cruise-shipping would be sorted out, he urged the stakeholders, particularly the hospitality industry, "to come in a big way and invest." The Shipping Secretary, D.T. Joseph, delivered the keynote address at the workshop, which was attended among others by members of Parliament attached to the consultative committee of the Ministry.

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