(a) whether the Government is formulating any comprehensive policy for cruise tourism;
(b) if so, whether a high power committee of Ministries of Tourism and Shipping has been constituted to consider the draft of the said policy;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the names of sea-shore where cruise centers are to be established;
(d) whether foreign cruiser Super Star Libra has started its business in Indian Maritime Region; and
(e) if so, the details thereabout?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM (SMT. RENUKA CHOWDHURY)
(a) & (b): Yes sir. A High Power Steering Group has been constituted to formulate Cruise Shipping Policy for the country.
(c): The recommendations of this Steering group include formation of Working Groups to look into issues like - Immigration; Customs Clearances; Quarantine Restrictions; Identification of Ports; Infrastructural Facilities; Connectivity; Taxation Issues; Tourism Related Issues; and Cabotage to develop cruise shipping policy for India. A Working Group has been constituted by Department of Shipping for identification of Ports having cruise tourism facilities along the East and West Coast of India.
(d) & (e): Yes, Sir. M/s Star Cruises have started operating its foreign cruiser Super Star Libra from Mumbai and Goa to Lakshadweep from September 2005.