Upgradation of cruise terminal, eastern seafront planned
Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
With the announcement that Mumbai will be the new homeport of Costa neoClassica, from December 2016 to March 2017, comes the interesting new development that a lot of concerted efforts are being made at every level to develop and promote India’s financial capital city as the country’s cruise tourism hub. Sanjay Bhatia, chairman, Mumbai Port Trust revealed that there is a clear mandate from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to union minister for shipping, Nitin Gadkari to make Mumbai the gateway for international cruising. “Within this year 59 ships will come here and next year the number will increase to 100. This year we will see 70,000 to 80,000 cruise tourist arrivals,” stated Bhatia.
A significant amount will be spent on upgrading the cruise terminal. All facilities that are available in airports will be provided at the cruise terminal. Bhatia assured that there will be ease of business in terms of immigration, etc. New SOPs have been prepared which will be further improved. “We are preparing a masterplan for the eastern front. Very soon there will be a walkway. There will be an eco park, a big garden and a marina. You will see a very different Mumbai in the next three-four years,” informed Bhatia.
Costa neoClassica will sail from Mumbai to Male in Maldives. The itinerary is for seven nights in each direction. Valsa Nair-Singh, principal secretary, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, said, “After a long time, we finally have Mumbai as a home port. This should be the beginning of more cruise ships to have Mumbai as their homeport. It will coincide with the state government’s initiative to launch the Visit Maharashtra Year in 2017.”
Costa Cruises, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Asia this year, has four ships in the region. Kelvin Wong, VP, Costa Cruises Asia Commercial, said, “India is a strategically important market for us. Starting December 2016, our Costa neoClassica will depart from Mumbai. It will be a relaxing holiday for Indian customers.”
Nalini Gupta, MD, Lotus Destinations (GSA of Costa Cruises India), informed that if the response from the market is good, more Costa ships will sail Indian waters.