What’s the Indian cruise market like? What’re the challenges?

Bird Group's cruise infrastructure is next to nothing. They coastline is as good as non- existent. Besides, you have to travel long- distance to board a ship - either you have to go to the Bahamas or to the Mediterranean sea to board one. It’s time consuming and not a simple affair at all. However, the Indian cruise sector, estimated at Rs 240 crore with approximately 80,000 travellers every year, is evolving with a huge potential for growth. With the Indian economy getting stronger, cruising in India will increase at a steady pace.

So what’s the government doing to develop cruise tourism?

Of late, the government has been working on developing cruise infrastructure at key ports such as Mumbai, Goa and Kochi. The Union Shipping Ministry has approved the Cruise Shipping policy keeping the potential of the sector in mind. In 2008- 09, the Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned projects across Indian ports to develop cruise tourism, notable being the development of tourism infrastructure at Kochi Port for Rs 1450 lakh.

Share some tips with our readers for going on a cruise holiday.

Firstly, check the ports of call and where do you have to board the ship from? Secondly, check out for the facilities on the ship. Is it child- friendly? Are there ample activities on board? Thirdly, check what’s the view like from your cabin? What’s the cabin structure like? Do you get a three dimensional view from the cabin windows? Does your room have a balcony?

Is this is good time to go on a cruise?

Because of global recession, prices have become very reasonable. Take the advantage.

Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi Beach is just 12 km away from Kochi city, a leisurely walk through the lanes of the city is the best way to discover historic Fort Kochi. The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British. Kochi Carnival on the New Year Eve is a colourful festival not to be missed at the beach site.

Kappad Beach
This little sea faring town is a haven for tourists. The best route to Kappad is along the backwaters. Kappad finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar coast. The historic beach of Kappad is remembered as the one where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498 with 170 men in three vessels, thus discovering a sea route to India.

The rock-studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old. A solitary pillar commemorates the event with the inscription, "Vasco da Gama landed here, Kappakadavu, in the year 1498". The sea here is placid and seemingly untouched by history or time.

Somatheeram Beach
Somatheeram is on the picturesque Malabar Coast 8 km south of Kovalam. The Somatheeram beach is also graced by an ayurvedic resort with all kind of ayurvedic treatments. The Somatheeram beach is enchanting beautiful, serene, virgin beach, undoubtedly the place for a unique experience.

Bekal Beach
Bekal Fort is the largest as well as the best preserved fort in Kerala. The Bekal fort is located on a vast 35 acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea. The fort stands on a promontory between two long classically beautiful palm fringed beaches

Varkala Beach
Varkala is a seaside resort and spa and is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. Located at a distance of 41 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, Varkala is known for its mineral springs and rocky cliffs. The 2000-year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the nature care centre are the two main attractions here.

Varca Beach is one of the longest stretches of beach in Salcete, 2km south of Benaulim, in South Goa. The white sands are clean and unpolluted, and this is the place to be if you seek quiet solitude. Varca has several luxury hotels and large resorts, each with their own private patch of beach. The rest of the beach is dotted by small shacks that come up in the season. The mid-range accommodation and home stays are available at the village. Also a traditional fishing village, you see many fishing boats parked on the sands. The thatched long-houses of the fisherman shaded by palm trees, adds to the beauty of the surroundings. The adjoining beach of Fatrade is known as one of the most secluded beaches of Goa.

One staying in Benaulim, one is bound at some point to visit Varca the row of beached wooden fishing boats 2-km south of Benaulim belong to its community of Christian fisher folk, whose palm thatched long houses line the foot of the grassy dunes.

Goa Anjuna beach is a perfect haven for the hippies and you will come across some of them who have been staying on this beach for a couple of months. It is in the late 1950s to mid-1960s that Anjuna beach was "discovered" by the hippies. From then on began the trend of moonlit parties which is one occasion the hippies and now the tourists look forward to.

Why Goa Anjuna beach is special

Goa Anjuna beach comes to life with the flea market and the full-moon beach parties at Goa Anjuna beach that continue through out the night. The flea market at Goa Anjuna beach offers a tourist just about anything he desires, right from swim suits to water-sports equipments to second hand bikes to cameras to various trinkets that can taken away as souvenirs to…just about anything. The Anjuna beach flea market is held on Wednesdays and if you are good at bargaining, then you can walk away with good stuff at throw away prices. You will also be able to find a mixture of good Gujarti, Kashmiri and Tibetan handicrafts. Apart from all this, you can also treat yourself to delicious Goan cuisine…right from mouth-watering prawns to heavenly pork vindaloo.

Why Goa Calangute Beach is so special?

Goa Calangute beach is a haven for the hippies. It was the hippies who discovered this beach in the late 60s. The exquisite beauty of the Calangute beach in India's Goa soon spread around, bringing hordes of European tourists. And this trend has still been continuing…tourists come down to this small Indian state of Goa searching for this lovely beach. Once you reach Calangute beach in Goa, then you can spend your vacation soaked in the serenity of the sea, sun and sand. Goa Calangute beach is often crowded with people, children making sand castles, colorful crowds surging towards the sea, hippies busy remembering the good old times and the young and old alike lazing on the golden sands. This picture of a perfect tourist haven is completed with shacks and stalls under the shade of palm trees selling everything from fried prawns and beer to trinkets made of seashells.

Goa is known history dates back to the 3rd century BC, when it was a component of the Maurya Empire, ruled by the Buddhist emperor Ashoka of Magadha. It was later ruled by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur, around 2000 years ago, was passed at the Chalukya dynasty, who controlled between 580 to 750. Over the subsequent couple of centuries Goa was ruled by the SILHE, the Kadambas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani, rulers of Deccan India.

Goa Tours and Goa Tourism

Tourism is generally focused on the coast of Goa, with decreased tourist activity inland. In 2004 there were more than 2 million tourists reported to have visited Goa, 400,000 of which were abroad.

Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the splendid climate and goa beaches. In the summer (which, in Goa, is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.

Goa state situated on the west coast of India, between the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka and is better known worldwide as the former Portuguese enclave on Indian soil. With the Portuguese rule for over 450 years and as a result of the influence of Latin culture, Goa presents a somewhat different outlook on foreign visitors than any other part of the country. The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches and temples. The Cathedral of Bom Jesus is another famous attraction in Goa. Fort Aguada is also a major tourist attraction. Recently, a wax museum on Indian history, culture and heritage has also opened in Old Goa.

Goa Beaches

The only reason to visit Goa is Goa beaches. About 125 miles from the coastline is dotted with beaches. These beaches are divided into North Goa and South Goa beaches. The farther north or south you go the more isolated beaches get. However, if you are looking for people, then visit some of the most popular beaches in Goa such as Baga Beach and Anjuna Beach. These beaches are lined with shacks offering fresh seafood and drinks. Some huts of special events to attract more customers.

So, at the end you can say Goa is a Best Travel Destination in India.