If deliberations between the Tourism and Shipping ministries on cruise tourism come to fruition, then Mumbai's iconic Marine Drive could host the next Ferrari Formula 1 and Grand Prix and Raigad's Mandwa Beach could end up as a wellness destination with facilities for Yoga and meditation. Areas like Sassoon Dock, Sewree Fort, Kanhoji Angre Island, Mandwa, Alibaug and Vijaydurg too will be developed as tourist destinations.
Apart from that, Bollywood will be allowed to shoot in the Water Front of the Mumbai Port, and floating restaurants at Gateway of India and Girgaum Chowpatty too will be developed as tourist attractions.
Last week, in a meeting chaired by Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari, also attended by Tourism minister KJ Alphons, with various stakeholders of the travel and tourism trade in Mumbai, these and several other decisions were taken as part of an action plan. Officials of the Mumbai Port Trust, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Tourism Department of Maharashtra government too were present, apart from travel trade players. Shipping ministry officials said a consultant has projected that the number of cruise tourists is likely to go up to 4.5 million by 2042-43.
As per the action plan, apart from the development of these areas, to promote cruise tourism, cruise ships will be given certain berths, and ousting charges as well as cabotage charges for foreign vessels will be waived off. In addition, a discount of 42 to 66 per cent will be given on port charges, and SOPs for processes by multiple agencies like port authorities, customs, immigration, security, state government officials, ship agents and tour operators will be developed. An e-landing card system for ease of travelling among Indian ports, e-visas and the upgradation of cruise terminals, too, is in the works. A few cruise terminals will also come up.
