Lok Sabha Question No. 1794 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Funds Allocated for Development of Cruise Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Ganesan Selvam, C.N. Annadurai, Manjulata Mandal, Dhanush M Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1794 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023

## FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CRUISE TOURISM

## 1794.  SHRI SELVAM G.:

SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI: SHRIMATI MANJULATA MANDAL: SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government plans to develop Cruise Tourism which has immense  potential  for  the  entire  country  including  Tamil  Nadu  in fostering economic growth and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  identified  the  States  in  the  country which have huge potential for Cruise Tourism and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  reasons  for  the  less  development  of  Cruise  Tourism  in  the country despite having huge potential;
- (d) the  quantum  of  funds  allocated  for  the  development  of  Cruise Tourism in the country during each of the last three years;
- (e) whether the Government has prepared action plan for Cruise Tourism in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  quantum  of  employment  likely  to  be generated;
- (f) the  problems  being  faced  by  the  Government  in  the  promotion  of Cruise Tourism in the country; and
- (g) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  popularize  Cruise Tourism among masses?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (g): Promotion and development of Tourism, including Cruise Tourism,  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  the  State  Governments/  UT Administrations.

However, Ministry of Tourism, promotes India in a holistic manner. As part of  its  on-going  activities,  it  releases  global  print,  electronic  and  online media campaigns in important, and potential markets overseas, under the 'Incredible India' brand -line,  to  promote various tourism destinations and products of the country.

After analyzing the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), and 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:

- i. Infrastructure & Circuit Enablement
2. ii.
3. Market Development
- iii. Ease of doing Business for Cruise Tourism
- iv. Integrated Tourism around Cruise Terminals
- v. Facilitating and Promoting Investment in Cruise Tourism
7. vi.
8. Skill Development for Cruise Tourism
- vii. Institutional Structure and Governance

Ministry  of  Tourism  also  provides  financial  assistance  to  the  Central Government Agencies for development of tourism including Cruise Tourism  and  Cruising  along  rivers,  under  the  scheme for  'Assistance  to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure development'.  The details of projects sanctioned for infrastructure development at Ports and Waterways  under  the  scheme  of  Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  during last three years is given at Annexure.

Ministry of Tourism  partnered  with  Ministry of Ports,  Shipping  and Waterways during the 1 st  Incredible India International Cruise Conference. The  conference  showcased  abundant  business  opportunities  in  cruise tourism sector.

Further, as conveyed  by Inland Waterways  Authority of India, the infrastructure developed for transportation on National Waterways (NWs) by IWAI including fairway, terminals, jetties, navigation aids etc. are used by the river cruise tourism operators also.

Hon'ble Prime Minister of India has flagged off the World's Longest River Cruise  on  13 th   January  2023  from  Varanasi  on  NW-1  (River  Ganga)  to Dibrugarh  NW-2  (River  Brahmaputra)  via  Bangladesh,  which  has  been successfully completed by covering waterway  distance of 3200  km approx. on 28.02.2023 at Dibrugarh, Assam.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.1794  ANSWERED  ON  31.07.2023  REGARDING  FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CRUISE TOURISM

List  of  Projects  sanctioned  for  infrastructure  development  at  Ports  and Waterways  under  the  scheme  of  Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  during last three years.

(Rs. in Lakh)

| S. No.   | States/ UTs   | Year    | Name of Projects                                                                                                        | Implementing Agency   |   Amt. sanctioned |
|----------|---------------|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|-------------------|
| 1.       | Goa           | 2021-22 | Creation of facilities for International and Domestic Cruise Vessels at Mormugao Port, Goa by Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) | Mormugao Port Trust   |              5000 |
| 2.       | Maharashtra   | 2021-22 | Upgradation/ Modernisation to International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai Port Trust                           | Mumbai Port Trust     |              3750 |
| Total    | Total         | Total   | Total                                                                                                                   | Total                 |              8750 |

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