SME Times News Bureau | 24 Jul, 2015
The implementation of a new
cruise shipping policy has resulted in growth of the sector in the
country, parliament was told on Thursday.
All major ports saw an
uptick in terms of number of ships handled. While Cochin saw an increase
of six percent, Mormugao port saw an increase of 30.7 percent, Mumbai
of 21.2 percent and the Chennai port of 50 percent.
"The
government has taken many steps to promote cruise and coastal tourism in
the country including financial assistance to ports and lighthouses
for development of cruise related tourism infrastructure under a scheme
of the tourism ministry," Minister of State for Shipping Pon
Radhakrishnan told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
"Ministry of
tourism has identified theme based circuits under recently-launched
Swadesh Darshan scheme and has identified some lighthouses for
development by shipping ministry to promote them as unique tourism
destinations," he added.
