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After the highly successful debut of MV Ganga Vilas as the world’s longest cruise journey spanning 25 river systems, five states, and two countries, Antara Luxury River Cruises is all set to operationalise Catamaran Cruises in the Indian states.
Speaking to ETTravelWorld, Founder Chairman of Antara Luxury River Cruises, Raj Singh confirmed that his company is set to introduce Catamaran Cruises in Odisha in November this year and the cruise will navigate the scenic landscapes in and around Bhitarkanika National Park.
Additionally, the Catamaran Cruise will allow guests to explore the beautiful beaches dotting the area, he shared.
While the other cruise ships are larger and more structured, often with large crowds, a catamaran cruise in general, provides a smaller, more intimate setting. The visitors aboard can explore various destinations with a small group of people, giving the options of more flexibility and personalised offerings.
Speaking on the potential of the Catamaran Cruise in boosting tourism, Singh added that these cruises would cover various destinations and attractions of the particular region. “For Odisha, in particular, areas around Bhitarkanika National Park will be accessible, along with visits to local villages and temples known for their historical and cultural significance,” he added.
Antara also aims to extend its unique offerings beyond Odisha. When asked about similar plans for other states, Singh revealed the company’s future expansion strategy, stating, “We do have plans for Kerala and Goa in the next phase of river cruise expansion.”
This addition will open up exciting prospects for cruise travellers across India, he had shared during his previous conversations with ETTravel.
Recently, at the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Goa, Singh was an active participant in a session deliberating on how cruise tourism is an anchor for overall tourism growth. He expressed his thoughts on making the government’s vision a reality, as well as fully leveraging the potential of river cruise tourism.
At the UN High-Level Forum, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture, and DoNER, G Kishan Reddy, spoke at length about the Goa Roadmap offering guidelines for prioritising sustainable practices, responsible consumption, and collaboration. He reiterated India’s commitment to skilling, women’s led tourism development, destination management, and leveraging technology for a sustainable tourism sector.
“There are several Indian rivers which hold an immense potential for cruise tourism expansion. Be it Godavari, Kaveri or any other rivers in Karnataka, the rivers in Madhya Pradesh or Jhelum in Kashmir, every river system in India is unique and can be fully utilised to hone this segment as the potential is vast. There is a need to have different river cruises for different river systems. Soon, according to the local and other favourable conditions, the number of river cruises in India will grow dramatically,” said Singh. While he termed the segment as a low hanging fruit, Singh said that the government is moving in the right direction, focusing on the development of basic infrastructure such as jetties at different places with shore power connections and other necessary facilities. He also stressed upon the importance of offering these amenities at reasonable rates to support the industry’s growth.
He added that the discussions at the G20 Tourism meeting in Goa, provided valuable insights in this regard and provided key takeaways for the industry as a whole. These deliberations centered on aligning government initiatives with the needs of boosting the cruise tourism sector, ensuring sustainable growth and creating a favorable environment for both domestic and international tourists.
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