Mumbai to stage a cruise tourism conference dubbed 'Waterways to Wonder' on August 18th.
The Mumbai Port Trust, in collaboration with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Indian Ports Association (IPA), is hosting a conference titled 'Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking Cruise Tourism' on August 18.
The half-day event aims to explore the potential of cruise tourism in India and deliberate on policy initiatives, best practices, and strategic growth avenues. The conference will bring together dignitaries from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, and various stakeholders in the cruise and maritime sectors.
The keynote address will be delivered by Vijay Kumar, Chairman of IWAI, who has been instrumental in developing inland water transport systems, promoting river cruises, and implementing tech-enabled, sustainable infrastructure across waterways.
A panel discussion will take place during the conference, featuring industry leaders and experts such as Vikas Narwal (Managing Director, IPA), AK Bansal (Chief Engineer, IWAI), Opesh Sharma (Director, Cruise, MoPSW), Vikas Malviya (Director, Nordic Cruiseline Private Limited), and representatives from Antara Cruises/Heritage River Journeys Private Limited, along with other river cruise operators.
The NAVIC Cell, established by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), will be presenting achievements and recent reforms in cruise tourism and ferry services during a dedicated session. The NAVIC Cell's objective is to position India as a global hub for cruise tourism by developing integrated ocean and river cruise circuits.
The panel will concentrate on the operational and commercial aspects of cruise tourism in India, focusing on enhancing passenger experience and streamlining infrastructure development. Key focus areas include strategic vision and policy frameworks for cruise tourism, regulatory mechanisms, cultural and coastal cruise itineraries, terminal best practices, smart operations, and environmentally sustainable port strategies.
The conference will end with a presentation on India Maritime Week 2025, which is scheduled for October. IMW 2025 aims to showcase developments, investment opportunities, and international collaborations in the maritime sector to foster both domestic and global growth. The conference also serves to position India as a global hub for eco-friendly cruise tourism and reviews readiness for the upcoming India Maritime Week 2025.
Expected outcomes of the conference are:
- Identification of strategic initiatives to unlock growth in cruise tourism.
- Collaboration among industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to foster the sector.
- Development of infrastructure and sustainable tourism promotion.
- Showcasing passenger experience and operational best practices.
- Preparing for India Maritime Week 2025 participation and exhibitions.
- Raising awareness of India’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty as cruise tourism assets.
In addition to the panel discussions and presentations, the conference will include keynote addresses, industry presentations, and a screening of a short film on river cruise tourism to underline opportunities and challenges, all aimed at unlocking India's potential in the cruise tourism market.
- Amidst the panel discussions at the 'Waterways to Wonder' conference, industry experts will share their opinions on cultivating sustainable growth avenues in India's cruise tourism market.
- As the sustainable development of the environment becomes more important in the business world, attendees will learn about the news of the NAVIC Cell's efforts to make India a global hub for eco-friendly cruise tourism.
- With a lifestyle boom boosting the demand for travel experiences, the conference aims to shed light on the culture, coastal itineraries, and operational best practices crucial for successful cruise tourism in India.
