Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal today launched the ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ from the Mumbai port. The Union Minister of State, Shantanu Thakur also attended the launch. The Cruise Bharat Mission aims to excel in India’s vision to become a global hub for cruise tourism and promote the country as the leading global cruise destination.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Sonowal said that the mission aims to propel the country’s cruise tourism industry by doubling cruise passenger traffic by 2029. He further said that the government is committed to harnessing the tremendous potential of the Blue Economy of India.

Mr Shantanu Thakur said that the Cruise Bharat is a visionary initiative that will open new horizons, create unprecedented opportunities, and place India at the forefront of the global cruise tourism industry.

Several Memorandum of Understanding relating to the tourism sector were also signed at the event.

Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rahul Narvekar, Secretary of Ports, Shipping and Waterways T.K. Ramachandran, Chairman of Mumbai Port Trust, Rajiv Jalota and other stakeholders of the maritime sector were present on the occasion.