India gives green signal to Kerala-Dubai cruise service
Kerala: In a significant development to boost tourism, the central government in India has approved the Beypore-Kochi-Dubai cruise service.
According to Kerala-based daily newspaper Manorama Online, the green signal was issued due to significant demand from non-resident Indian travellers.
India’s Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that initial steps are underway to launch cruise ship services. The announcement was made recently in response to a question asked by Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden.
In September, Kerala Maritime Board Chairman NS Pillai said NORKA would conduct a feasibility study on passenger cruise ships to fill the travel gap from Kerala to the UAE. The need for such a route was primarily due to the high costs experienced by migrants and tourists during peak season.
The service is scheduled to transport up to 1,250 passengers using a ship specially equipped for the Kochi-Dubai route.
Cruise services provide a cost-effective and practical transportation option, offering one-way tickets for as low as Rs 10,000.
