Interest among Europeans to sail to India on rise

Kochi, Oct 21: There is increasing interest among Europeans to come for leisure sailing to India which has a beautiful coastline and inland waterways, leader of the Vasco da Gama International Yacht Rally Lodewiyk Brust said today.

Arriving at the Bolghatty Island here as part of the Turkey-Goa Vasco da Gama Rally, Mr Brust said six of the 27 yachts, which took part in the rally, started sailing from Goa five days ago to come to Kochi to attend the ongoing 5th India International Boat Show 2006 here.

The sailors were planning to spend at least two to three months in Kerala, he added.

Earlier, Kerala Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan welcomed the sailors, including several women and congratulated them for spreading the message of peace and cooperation.

Mr Brust said the Vasco da Gama Rally was organised as there was increasing interest among Europeans to come to India for leisure sailing as the country has beautiful coastlines and inland waterways and above all good climate.

He said at least 50 yachts were expected to participate in the next edition of the rally, scheduled to begin in September, 2007.

While the sailing conditions were very good along the Indian west coast from November to April, attention must be given to have uniform rules at all Indian ports for yachts, he added.

''While the paper work in Mumbai was very fast, it took more time in Goa and Kochi,'' he said adding ''there was a need to develop more marinas so that more boats could be accommodated.'' After arriving in Mumbai in mid-April, the yachts took part in the Mumbai-Goa Vasco da Gama Cup race alongwith local participants.

Apart from Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, former Kerala Tourism Minister K V Thomas, Principal Secretary, Tourism, E K Bharat Bhushan, Director, Tourism, B Suman, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Cherian Phillip and Managing Director K G Mohanlal were also present to welcome the sailors.

UNI