Govt to encourage cruise shipping: Baalu

New Delhi, May 17: The government is determined to encourage cruise shipping, a major part of the tourism industry having millions of passengers each year around the world.

''We've allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the sector and are formulating a policy,'' said Minister for Shipping T R Baalu.

The objectives of proposed cruise shipping policy include making India a major destination by creating the required infrastructure, he told the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.

A cruise ship or a cruise liner is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages. The cruising industry's rapid growth globally has been largely due to servicing North American and European clientele.

Cruise ships operate on a mostly set roundabout course, that is they tend to return to their originating port. Ocean liners are defined by actually doing ocean-crossing voyages, which may not lead back to the same port for years.

UNI