Cruise tourism major opportunity for India's marine industry, says Seatrade Chief

Addressing the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hayman said Indian Ocean cruises could be an effective solution for winter deployment of ships operating in Northern Europe.

"With the development of cruise terminals at five ports on the west and east coasts of India, cruise tourism could be a major opportunity for the country," said Hayman.

"This would open up avenues for Indian industry to provide marine and hospitality services, port excursions and the like to these cruises."

Hayman's remarks came in advance of Seatrade Middle East Maritime, to be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 6-8 December, where the prospects for the development of cruise tourism in the Gulf and Indian Ocean will be under the spotlight.

"The Fourth Seatrade Middle East Cruise Conference is expected to unearth new recommendations to unlock the region's cruise potential," said Hayman.

"It will question whether the time is right for the development of regional cruise products, and, if so, what their defining characteristics should be.

"It will also examine itinerary options for cruise tourism in the Gulf and Indian Ocean, infrastructure development in the region and the potential of the west coast of India as a new cruise destination."

India will also feature strongly in the Seatrade Middle East Maritime exhibition, which will run alongside the conference, with the country mounting a national pavilion at the event. Other pavilions are due from Pakistan, Iran and Turkey.

To date, exhibitors from 19 countries have contracted for Seatrade Middle East Maritime, which is expected to be triple the size of last year's event.

Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2004 is being held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister. Organisations supporting the event include Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dubai Shipping Agents Association, National Association of Freight Logistics UAE Branch; Indian National Shipowners' Association; The Nautical Institute UAE Branch; and the UAE National Ship Suppliers' Association.

The event is principally sponsored by Dubai Maritime City; Dubai Ports Authority; the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing; Gulf Energy Maritime PJSC (GEM); and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).

Other sponsors include Aalborg Industries A/S (Dubai branch); Aqua Group, Arabian Adventures; British Airways; Castrol Marine; Clyde & Co; Dubai Metals & Commodities Centre; HSBC; Instone International; Lloyd's Register; Maritime London; Net Cruises; Nico International; Norton Rose; Scan-Trans Chartering LLC and Sharaf Shipping Agency LLC.