Cruise season at New Mangalore Port would begin with Seven Seas Navigator vessel scheduled to call at the port on December 8. The port would be hosting 10 cruise vessels in the 2023-24 cruise season, beginning in the second week of December and lasting till the second week of May 2024.
The New Mangalore Port is expecting a rise in number of cruises calls in coming years after the new season of cruise commencement post Covid pandemic in India. The port is also trying for domestic cruise calls to Mangaluru and it has taken several initiatives to improve the cruise passengers experience in the last season.
ln addition to the existing initiatives, a cruise tourism sensitisation programme for stakeholders to improve experience of passengers was organized in the port on Monday. Dr AV Ramana, chairman, NMPA presided over. KG Nath, deputy chairman, NMPA, Mohamed Farouk, director, Indian Tourism, Rajendra Prasad Pathak, DC, CISF and N Manikya, deputy director, Karnataka Tourism were present.
Farouk underscored the advantages of cruise tourism for the region and its local economies. He emphasized the significance of cruise tourism in the country, highlighting its positive impact on revenue generation, employment opportunities, and overall economic growth.
Ramana highlighted the significance of ensuring a positive tourism experience that will encourage tourists to share their pleasant encounters with others back home.
He emphasised the need to educate stakeholders on effectively handling cruise tourists. Additionally, he recognized the Indian government’s commitment to fostering tourism growth within the country. Ramana urged all stakeholders present to collaborate and align their efforts with the government’s tourism development initiatives.