Cordelia Cruises is preparing for its inaugural international journey to Sri Lanka (Hambantota and Trincomalee) in early June, which is expected to increase Indian cruise traffic by 25-30%, as stated by a high-ranking official.
The cruise company, currently operating in India, has experienced a resurgence in the post-COVID era, with occupancy rates ranging from 78% to 85%. The official further mentioned that consecutive summer holiday cruises have been completely booked.
On June 5th, Cordelia will depart from Chennai, and a special reception has been planned on June 7th to celebrate the cruise line's first voyage, with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe likely to attend, according to the official. As the Sri Lankan economy steadily recovers, Cordelia anticipates an improvement in its prospects, leading the company to consider acquiring new ships in the near future.
Following a severe economic crisis, Sri Lanka's tourism industry is on a path to recovery. In 2022, the country received 700,000+ tourists, including a significant number from India. Reports indicate that in 2023, Sri Lanka aims to welcome 1.55 million visitors and generate US$2.7 billion in vital tourism revenue. To regain momentum in the tourism sector, Sri Lanka Tourism has undertaken aggressive international campaigns and roadshows, including in India, which were impacted by the economic crisis.
To address the crisis, the International Monetary Fund granted a US$3 billion bailout loan to the Sri Lankan government in March through the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC). India has also extended assistance to the crisis-stricken nation.
Presently, Cordelia Cruises operates the 210-m-long/11-decks-high ship Cordelia Empress. Homeported in Mumbai, the liner sails to ports like Mormugao-Goa, Cochin, and Lakshadweep on the West Coast.
Starting from the June-September period, the ship relocates to the East Coast for homeporting in Chennai, ensuring uninterrupted cruise availability throughout the year. Additionally, it may also visit other destinations on the east coast, like Visakhapatnam/Vizag.