If all goes well, then Kochi, the most sought-after port in
India for international cruise lines, will be included in the coastal tourism
circuit, along with Mumbai and Goa by the Central Government.
The Cochin Port Trust’s offers which includes a host of
amenities such as walk-in-berthing, sufficient draft, bunkering and freshwater
services has all added to the advantage of cruise tourism. The Port Trust has
also constructed a cruise passenger felicitation terminal named Samudrika, near
the Mattancherry wharf to facilitate statutory procedures such as Customs and
Immigration clearance for passengers.
The proximity to heritage sites and the State’s major
tourist destinations is another pulse point. Besides, the city has shopping
malls of international standards, facilitating shopping of handicrafts,
oriental clothing, spices and antiques.
Earlier, the Cochin Port set a new record in cruise ship
handling by playing host to 43 vessels between April 2007 and March 2008,
pushing Mumbai and Goa far behind.
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