Lok Sabha Question No. 666 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Status of Cruise Tourism in Kerala
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Thomas Chazhikadan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.666 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## STATUS OF CRUISE TOURISM IN KERALA

## 666.  SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  State  of  Kerala  has  huge  potential  for  cruise tourism;
- (b) the extant status of cruise tourism in the State as on date;
- (c) the reasons for the less development of cruise tourism in Kerala despite having huge potential;
- (d) the  quantum  of  funds  allocated  for  the  development  of  cruise tourism in Kerala during each of the last three years;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  prepared  any  action  plan  for  the promotion and development of cruise tourism in Kerala; and
- (f) if  so,  the quantum of employment that is likely to be generated through such an action plan?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (c): Kerala has tremendous potential for Cruise Tourism. Cruise Tourism has been developed in Kerala.

As  conveyed  by  Ministry  of  Ports,  Shipping  and  Waterways,  Cochin port has hosted over 380649 passengers and 173110 crew arrived in 327 cruise vessels in the last 10 years. The details of cruise arrivals at Cochin Port for the last 10 years are at Annexure.

Cochin is one of the leading ports in India. Besides the international cruise calls, Cochin Port also host domestic cruises with the commencement of services of Cordelia Cruise since September 2021. So  far,  28  domestic  calls  carrying  53826  passengers  have  been handled. The average embarkation has increased to 1128 passengers per call during 2022-23 against 878 passengers per call during 202122.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is mandated for regulation and development  of National Waterways  (NW)  for shipping and navigation.  NW-3,  NW-8  &  NW-9  in  Kerala  have  been  taken  up  for comprehensive  development  by  IWAI.  Infrastructure  developed  on National Waterways by IWAI is also utilized by tourist vessels.

- (d): Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  schemes,  has  sanctioned  the following projects for development of Cruise Tourism / Infrastructure at Cochin Port in Kerala:-

## Swadesh Darshan Scheme:-

| Year of Sanction   | Name of Project                                       |   Amount Sanctioned (Rs. in Crore) |
|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| 2018-19            | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project |                              57.35 |

## Assistance to Central Agencies:-

| Year of Sanction   | Name of Project                                                                        |   Amount Sanctioned (Rs. in lakh) |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| 2018-19            | Developing infrastructure at Cochin Port Cruise Terminal                               |                            120.79 |
| 2018-19            | Creation of additional tourism facilities at the Cochin Port Trust Walkway             |                            466.47 |
| 2019-20            | CFA for Development of Additional Infrastructure in the new Cochin Port Trust Terminal |                           1029.7  |

(e)  and  (f):  To  position  India  as  a  preferred  destination  for  cruise tourism globally, Ministry of Tourism has drafted a National Strategy for Cruise Tourism. Following strategic pillars have been identified in the strategy document for infrastructure & circuit enablement, market development and skill development:

- Infrastructure & Circuit Enablement
- Market Development
- Ease of doing Business for Cruise Tourism
- Integrated Tourism around Cruise Terminals
- Facilitating and Promoting Investment in Cruise Tourism
- Skill Development for Cruise Tourism
- Institutional Structure and Governance

Also  as  informed  by  Ministry  of  Ports,  Shipping  and  Waterways (MoPSW),  Job  opportunities  are  created  for  Tour  Operators,  Tourist Guides,  etc.,  in  connection  with  arrival  of  cruise  ships.  The  District Tourism  Promotion  Council,  Ernakulam  under  the  Government  of Kerala  is  operating  a  Prepaid  taxi/auto  counter  with  more  than  400 vehicles for Cruise tourists on arrival generating direct employment to the drivers. Cochin Port allots stalls for local traders selling handicrafts and local items, promoting local economy.

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ANNEXURE STATEMENT  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.666 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023 REGARDING STATUS OF CRUISE TOURISM IN KERALA

The details of cruise arrivals at Cochin Port for the last 10 years

| Year    |   No. of Vessels | Passengers   |   Crew |
|---------|------------------|--------------|--------|
| 2022-23 |               31 | 36403        |  13821 |
| 2021-22 |                9 | 14004        |   5270 |
| 2020-21 |                0 | 0            |      0 |
| 2019-20 |               44 | 67907        |  30718 |
| 2018-19 |               49 | 62753        |  28828 |
| 2017-18 |               42 | 47,727       |  21552 |
| 2016-17 |               46 | 57129        |  27493 |
| 2015-16 |               33 | 35541        |  16247 |
| 2014-15 |               39 | 32031        |  14925 |
| 2013-14 |               34 | 27154        |  14256 |
| Total   |              327 | 380649       | 173110 |

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