- Department of Tourism holds meeting with leading cruise operators at the direction of Tourism Minister K. J. George
- Company delegation to visit Mangalore next month for site assessment
Bengaluru, July 31: As part of the Karnataka Government’s efforts to promote cruise tourism in the State, the Department of Tourism has initiated consultations with leading cruise operators following the directions of Hon’ble Minister for Energy & Tourism, Shri K. J. George. During a meeting held in Mumbai, Waterways Leisure Tourism Limited, one of India’s leading cruise operators, agreed in principle to explore the feasibility of commencing cruise services from Mangalore, said Dr. V. Ram Prasath Manohar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Tourism.
A delegation of senior officials from the Department of Tourism, led by the Secretary, held detailed discussions with Mr. Jurgen Bailom, President & Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Bharat Acharya, Associate Director – Port Operations, of Waterways Leisure Tourism Limited. The meeting focused on the infrastructure requirements, operational needs, market opportunities and other key aspects necessary for launching cruise services from Mangalore.
During the discussions, the company’s representatives highlighted the need for a comprehensive assessment of the tourism market, visitor demand and commercial viability of the Mangalore coastal region. They also suggested preparing a dedicated promotional strategy to position Mangalore as a prominent cruise tourism destination at both the national and international levels.
As the next step, the company’s technical team will visit Mangalore next month to undertake a detailed site assessment of the port infrastructure, tourism potential, operational feasibility and other supporting facilities required for cruise operations.
Meanwhile, as part of the State Government’s efforts to strengthen cruise tourism infrastructure, a team of senior officials from the Department of Tourism recently visited the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal to study its passenger facilities, terminal management systems and operational framework.
Based on the observations from the visit, Dr. V. Ram Prasath Manohar has directed departmental officials to undertake a preliminary feasibility study on the development of an international-standard cruise terminal in Mangaluru.
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“Karnataka’s coastline offers immense potential for cruise tourism. The Government is committed to developing this sector by engaging with leading industry players and creating the necessary infrastructure and enabling ecosystem. This initiative will not only strengthen coastal tourism but also generate employment opportunities and attract investments to the region.”
- Shri K. J. George Hon’ble Minister for Energy & Tourism, Government of Karnataka
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“The in-principle agreement by Waterways Leisure Tourism Limited to explore cruise operations from Mangalore is a significant development. The company’s technical team will undertake a detailed site assessment, following which the Department will take the next course of action based on its findings. At the same time, we are also examining the feasibility of establishing an international-standard cruise terminal in Mangalore.”
- Dr. V. Ram Prasath Manohar, IAS – Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka
