A couple of decades ago, would it be possible to imagine that the Mormugao Port could one day shift its focus from a port handling iron ore to one that would deal with cruise tourism in a major manner?
It would have been unimaginable, yet that is exactly what is in the process of occurring.
The news coming in this week is that the Centre is planning to develop Goa as a Cargo and Cruise hub. This is in line with the National Strategy for Cruise Tourism that was unveiled last year.
While cruise tourism has never really picked up in Goa, despite the fact that, as a tourism destination, this could give the State a major impetus, and a boost to tourism in the State.
Goa, it is revealed, is poised for a maritime transformation that will benefit the local communities and the broader national economy, and this will come about by leveraging government support and strategic investments.
What we know from the news reports of the last few days is that the Centre and State are working to position Goa as a prominent cargo and cruise destination.
While cruise tourism has never really picked up in Goa, despite the fact that, as a tourism destination, this could give the State a major impetus, and a boost to tourism in the State.
Some of the measures taken to enhance Goa’s maritime connectivity include the construction of an International and Domestic Cruise Terminal, along with a Ferry Terminal, at Mormugao Port at an estimated cost of Rs 101.72 crore that is scheduled to be completed by March 2025.
A cruise terminal is an absolute necessity if Goa is being promoted as a cruise hub. Cruise ships do dock at Mormugao Port.
News reports also state that over the next few months, some 42 cruise ships will be calling at Mormugao port. That’s an appreciable number and, again, is good news to the tourism industry, if not for the port too.
It is often misbelieved that cruise tourism does not impact local businesses and it is only the port that benefits, but the benefits – economic majorly – do percolate beyond the port.
Though the cruise stops for just a few hours at each port, usually a day call as the nights are spent on board sailing, there are some positive effects on the local economy.
It is often misbelieved that cruise tourism does not impact local businesses and it is only the port that benefits, but the benefits – economic majorly – do percolate beyond the port.
There is economic stimulus in the form of the cruise passengers coming ashore, where they are taken sightseeing, resulting in the hiring of coaches, cabs to transport them, and their spending on dining, shopping and other services while on shore.
This does bring revenue to the State and earnings to the local businesses. It leads also to some job creation in the nature of tour guides, that accompany the cruise tourists.
But, in a big way and what we do read will be happening now, is infrastructure development in the form of investment in creating a cruise terminal and upgrading the facilities at the port.
For long, Mormugao Port has been associated with the transportation of iron ore and cargo, perhaps the cruise terminal will give it another revenue earning segment.
The projects, they claim, are expected to boost the State’s economy, enhance its global position as a hub for trade and leisure.
So, what the port and Goa tourism stakeholders can look forward to is improved facilities for the tourists at the port, a berth that can accommodate larger and more ships, all of which is expected to enhance Goa as a key gateway for tourism.
The news reports also state that Goa, with all the plans that have been unveiled, is set to emerge as a key player in the country’s maritime sector in terms of cruise tourism.
The projects, they claim, are expected to boost the State’s economy, enhance its global position as a hub for trade and leisure.
In its focus on increasing footfalls, cruise tourism could play a major role to give the numbers a boost. What is required is leveraging this to project Goa as a luxury tourism destination, but without compromising on sustainable and regenerative tourism.
Goa tourism, in the past weeks, received some unpleasant coverage on social media that found echoes in the mainstream media.
The announcement of the plan to develop cruise tourism should be an effective counter to this, depending again, on how Goa can use this announcement to its advantage.
