MARITIME HUMAN CAPITAL

Cruise & Passenger Economy – A New Horizon

Session Details & Background:

• India: 7,500 km coastline, 12 major & 200 minor ports.
• Cruise tourism: nascent but growing (0.4m → 3–3.5m passengers by 2030).
• Economic potential: ₹35,000 crore contribution, 50–70k jobs by 2030.
• Emerging trends: cruise terminals, river cruises, RoPax ferries, sustainable LNG-fuel ships.

Session Theme: Positioning India as a South Asia & Middle East cruise hub.

• Name: Cruise & Passenger Economy: A New Horizon for India
• Structure: 20 min presentations + 25 min panel discussion + 10 min Q&A

Speakers / Panelists: [Placeholder – Directors to suggest]

Expected Dignitaries: [Placeholder]

Target Audience & Prominent Attendees:

- Govt. officials, port authorities, shipbuilders, tourism boards, cruise operators, investors

- Approximate size: 150–200 participants

Expected Session Outcome:

- Roadmap for cruise tourism growth and fleet expansion

- Policy & PPP recommendations

- Enhanced industry–tourism collaboration

Expectations from MoPSW / IPA:

- Facilitation of dignitaries & policy makers

- Support in promoting session and validating recommendations

Session 1: Agenda

• Opening & context: cruise economy in India
• IMC action plan – tourism, fleet, shipbuilding, skill development
• Panel discussion: growth prospects & regulatory framework
• Way forward: 2030 targets, new cruise itineraries, domestic vessel expansion
• Q&A