To give a major boost to cruise tourism in the country, the ministry of tourism informed that it has sanctioned Rs. 648.80 crore. Under this scheme, the government will develop ports and cruise terminals, lighthouses and river cruise circuits and purchasing ferries. They will also work towards developing dedicated terminals for cruise passengers and cruise vessels.

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“Cruise tourism is one of the most vibrant and fast-growing sectors of the leisure and travel industry. The promotion of coastal tourism through beach tourism, lighthouse tourism, and cruise tourism will help communities such as fishing communities to find other livelihood opportunities and supplement their income,” informed Gangapuram Kishan Reddy, minister of tourism.

Reddy further said the government recognises cruise tourism as a niche tourism product to attract tourists. The minister said that under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, tourism ministry has sanctioned ten projects under coastal thematic circuits worth Rs. 648.80 crore across various States / Union Territories.  It has also sanctioned 228.61 crores for various projects on developing cruise terminals and related infrastructure at major ports under the ''Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development'' scheme. Under this scheme, the government will develop cruise terminals, lighthouses, and other tourist infrastructure in Goa, Mumbai, and Visakhapatnam.

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Talking about the various efforts, the government is taking GKV Rao, Director General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism said country's perennial rivers will offer a historical experience and state governments are developing inland waterways tourism policies to cater to domestic tourists and international travellers. Addressing the Potential of River Cruising session, Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Chairman, Inland Waterway Authority of India informed that the government is developing more jetties and terminals on the banks of rivers and providing night navigation and river information systems to increase the efficiency of the movement of cruises.  IWAI Chairman added that the government has brought about changes in the Indian vessel act 2021 to anchor a unified system of survey, certification of the vessels and the personnel. He said there will be a unified licensing system for the entire country and the vessels will not be required to take licenses from each and every state. “The certificates and licences given by the state will be valid for the entire country and also help develop a unified system of quality”, he said.