ABSTRACT
“Cruise terminal is a project with a long gestation period and revenue from terminal operation, when compared to the investment, may not be attractive. Considering this fact, we propose a mix of commercial activities together with the main business.”
India with its rapid economic development, huge population and a 7,500 km long coastline is regarded as a market with immense potential for more number of tourists and new destinations. Presently, Mumbai and Kochi are the favoured ports of call in India for international cruise ships. It is expected that the cruise tourism industry in the country would witness rapid growth once required infrastructure is in place. This would lead to the development of three major regional cruise corridors -Mumbai-Lakshadweep-Mumbai; Goa-Lakshadweep-Kochi-Goa; Kochi-Maldives-Colombo-Kochi. In the first two corridors, Goa is expected to have at least one port of call. Therefore, a cruise terminal in the state is a necessity.
