In India, rising household incomes and robust economic growth are giving a boost to cruise industry. Currently, more people are opting to spend vacations via undertaking a cruise.
In order to attract more cruise ships, India's Government is working on new cruise tourism policy.
The country has a small share of the world cruise industry market. In 2016, a total of 23 million passengers took a cruise globally, while current estimates indicate approx 120,000 Indians are booking a cruise annually.
As the Indian government announced cruise industry development as a project of national importance, it might attract up to 700 ships from its present strength of 70 ships per year.
For example, luxury Italian cruise liner Costa neoClassica (now Grand Classica) has chosen Mumbai India as its home port.
India features 7.500 km of coastline. The idea is the country to be put on the global cruise map, for both oceans and rivers, in order to boost growth and create jobs.
New infrastructure is to be developed at 5 major ports, including Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Mumbai and New Mangalore. It includes retail, shopping, restaurants and hospitality.