India's cruise tourism era begins: Costa Serena sets sail from Mumbai on domestic voyage

The Costa Serena,  the first international cruise liner to operate domestic sailings in India,  began its maiden voyage from Mumbai on November 4,  2023. This event marks a major milestone in the government's efforts to promote cruise tourism in India and establish the country as a premier cruise destination.

Domestic Sailings of First International Cruise Liner Costa Serena Begin from Mumbai

The Costa Serena is a luxurious cruise ship with a capacity of 3,800 passengers. It will be sailing Indian waters for the next three months,  offering a variety of itineraries to Indian tourists. The ship's first voyage will be a three-night cruise from Mumbai to Goa and back. It will then offer a variety of itineraries,  including four-night cruises to Goa and Lakshadweep,  and five-night cruises to Goa and Kochi.

The domestic sailings of the Costa Serena are a part of the government's 'Dekho Apna Desh' initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,  which is aimed at encouraging Indians to explore more domestic travel options. The government has also offered a number of incentives to international cruise lines to operate domestic cruises in India. These incentives include a waiver of port charges for the first five years and a reduction in customs duty on bunkers.

Significance of Costa Serena's domestic sailings

The launch of Costa Serena's domestic sailings is a significant development for several reasons. First,  it is the first time that an international cruise liner is offering domestic cruises in India. This shows the growing confidence of international cruise liners in India's cruise potential. Second,  it will make cruise tourism more accessible to Indian citizens. Previously,  Indians who wanted to experience a cruise had to travel abroad. Now,  they can enjoy a world-class cruise experience without having to leave the country. Third,  it will boost tourism in the coastal states of India. Cruise passengers are likely to spend money on sightseeing, shopping,  and dining in the ports that they visit.

 

Impact on the Indian Economy

The cruise tourism industry has the potential to generate significant economic benefits for India. The cruise line industry is a major employer and generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. The domestic sailings of the Costa Serena boost economic activity in the port cities of Mumbai,  Goa,  and Kochi. A study by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) estimates that the cruise tourism industry could generate up to ₹25,000 crore in revenue and create over 500,000 jobs by 2047.

The cruise line industry also has a significant indirect impact on the economy. Cruise passengers typically spend money on hotels, restaurants,  and other tourist attractions in the cities they visit. The domestic sailings of the Costa Serena are expected to attract more tourists to India and boost spending on tourism.

Conclusion

The launch of the Costa Serena's domestic sailings is a major milestone for India's cruise tourism sector. It is expected to attract a large number of Indian tourists,  generate significant revenue for the country,  and create new jobs. The government is hopeful that the success of the Costa Serena's domestic sailings will encourage other international cruise lines to operate domestic cruises in India.