Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 4: The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Bengaluru office and the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA jointly organized a Cruise Tourism workshop on Monday, December 4, at the NMPA Auditorium to enhance Mangaluru's standing as a premier cruise tourism destination. Mangaluru, with its rich cultural heritage and captivating natural beauty, is becoming a most sought after destination for cruise passengers.
Recognizing the need for a unified approach, the workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration among various agencies involved in handling cruise passengers and ships. This collaborative spirit will be instrumental in orchestrating seamless operations, fostering a welcoming environment for international travellers, and championing sustainable development practices. A united front will ensure that Mangaluru is well prepared to embrace the influx of cruise passengers while preserving its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The director of India Tourism Bengaluru delivered a welcome address and presented an insightful session on "Introduction and Benefits of Cruise Tourism." He also emphasized the initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism to attract more cruise vessels to India and promote Cruise Tourism.
The deputy chairman of the New Mangalore Port Authority addressed the gathering and highlighted the handling of cruise vessels and Cruise Tourism at various ports in India. He also highlighted the efforts of Mangalore Port in creating a better tourism experience for visiting guests.
The chairman of the New Mangalore Port Authority, addressed the gathering as the chief guest of the function and highlighted the importance of cruise tourism in achieving the 5 trillion economy and the role of NMPA in facilitating cruise movement and attracting a greater influx of cruise vessels to Mangaluru's shores. He spoke about NMPA's proactive efforts in promoting and facilitating Cruise Tourism and highlighted the potential of cruise tourism in Mangaluru and Karnataka, with its 320 km golden coastline. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with all allied departments in handling cruise tourism to create a better experience for cruise travellers.
An expert session on cruise tourism was conducted by Gautam Dey, former traffic manager, Mumbai Port Trust, and an introduction to tourism in and around Mangaluru was held by Dr Chef Thirugnanasambantham. Both sessions captivated the attendees with enlightening presentations, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of cruise tourism and the diverse attractions of Mangaluru and its surroundings. These sessions further enriched the workshop's discussions and contributed to the development of a comprehensive strategy.
As many as 100 participants including Mangalore Port officials, CISF, Immigration, Customs, PHO, officials of India Tourism and Tourism stakeholders attended the programme.