KOCHI: The Union Ministries of Shipping and Tourism are set to join hands to give shape to the cruise-tourism industry in the country, said Union Minister for Shipping G K Vasan here on Friday.Speaking at a meeting of the Parliament Consultative Committee which he chaired, he said, “The Shipping Ministry is thinking of providing 25 percent of the total cost of a cruise tourism related project or Rs 50 crore to the particular ports in association with the tourism ministry. The ports which could be identified for development into major cruise destination would be given assistance by way of a subsidy.This would be beneficial for Cochin Port too.” The subsidy being given as budget allocation for such projects are comparatively low, he added. The Minister also said that the passengers belonging to the middle class could be attracted by reducing the rates and increasing the number of services.“Cruise tourism is a sector which can contribute to the nation’s economy both directly and indirectly,” he said. The meeting was held on board Amet Majesty, a cruise vessel which started services recently, with Kochi as its home port.The steering committee constituted to study the cruise tourism industry in the country had recommended that Chennai, Kochi, Mangalore and Mumbai ports can be developed as major cruise destinations. Around 130 cruise vessels had called on Indian ports during 2010-11. These vessels together brought in around 1 lakh tourists to the country. The PCC on cruise tourism comprises officials of the Union Ministry of Shipping and MPs. MP A Sampath is a member of the Committee.
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