Incredible India International Cruise Conference (IIICC)

Recently, the first Incredible India International Cruise Conference (IIICC) was organized.

Who organized the conference?

It is a two-day event jointly organized by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

What were the issues deliberated at the conference?

Strategies for developing India as a cruise hub, port infrastructure, and the potential of river cruise tourism in India were some of the issues focused on at the conference. Eight Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed.

What were the MoUs signed?

1. Mumbai Port signed MoUs with Angriya Sea Eagle Ltd and Waterways Leisure Tourism P. Ltd for homeporting their cruise ships in Mumbai and Chennai respectively for the upcoming cruising season.
2. Mumbai Port and Training Ship Rahaman signed MoU for being an existing service provider in the field of Maritime Training for Cruise Vessels.
3. Mumbai Port and The Apollo Group USA signed MoU for being an existing service providers to cruise operators in the country.
4. Chennai Port and Waterways Leisure Tourism P. Ltd. Signed MoU for home porting their cruise ship in Chennai for the upcoming cruising season.
5. A MoU was signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Adventure Resorts and Cruises for the Development of Long Cruise on Backwaters of Kerala.
6. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed MoUs with JM Baxi River Cruise and Antara Luxury River Cruises for River Cruise between Varanasi and Bogibeel via Kolkata under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.

What were the highlights of the speech of the Union Minister for Culture, and Tourism?

Minister spoke about the vast potential of the river cruise industry in India. He invited domestic and international tourists to ‘Come, Cruise in India.’ The minister highlighted the initiatives of the government like the Namami Gange Project to clean and rejuvenate rivers. He also said that the government is planning to bring a ‘Comprehensive Indian National Tourism Policy’, in which Cruise tourism will be given importance.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2022

Category: Summits and Conferences