CRUISE tourism is set to grow in India as more luxury ships, including Seabourn Cruise Line and P&O Cruises, are calling at local ports such as Mumbai. Inbound tour operators are excited by the emerging cruise sector, which is typically dominated by well-heeled travellers.
Subhash Goyal, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators, said: “It will be a boon for Indian tourism, but we have to gear up our sea port facilities to accommodate big liners.”
Reuven Sagi, president of Mexico-based RAS International Tours, was inspired by the prospect of adding India to its programmes. He said: “Mexicans cruise at least once every year and now we can offer exotic Indian vacations with cruising in Asia.”
Lynden James, product manager of Sydney-based Cruise Holiday Specialists, said that the company is interested in developing 10- and 14-night itineraries in India for clients sailing from Mumbai to Dubai, Singapore or Hong Kong. These three routes will begin sailing during the European low season of October through March. According to James, his clients would spend A$10,000 (US$10,333) per person on a cruise that includes land excursions in India.
Meanwhile, P & O Cruises is offering a three-week Mumbai-Southampton cruise that calls on destinations such as Dubai, Muscat, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Italy and Portugal. It is priced at 2,500 pounds (US$3,980) to 3,800 pounds per person, excluding land excursions.
India’s growing cruise sector is likely to benefit outbound travel too. Seema Ahmed, general manager, Gainwell Travel & Leisure, said: “Indian cruise tourists can now visit Singapore for three or four nights to avail of the Star Cruises itineraries in the South China Sea and Andaman Sea.”
