Aiming to be a key participants of Union Government’s five-year Cruise Bharat Mission, Madhya Pradesh is all set to expand cruise tourism. In a statement, Principal Secretary Tourism, Culture and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department and Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Sheo Shekhar Shukla said that State is set to launch India’s first inter-state cruise route connecting Meghnath Ghat (Kukshi) and Sakarja in Madhya Pradesh with Hafeshwar and Mokhadi in Gujarat. The 120-km-long route promises a thrilling adventure amidst tranquil and scenic beauty. A state-of-the-art solar-powered cruise terminal is being constructed in Sakarja offering outstanding connectivity with major cities.

 

It is in the pipeline, Sakarja will be the first cruise terminal in the country. State’s tourism sector is set to expand cruise tourism, rural tourism, textile tourism and niche tourism products in this year. Madhya Pradesh, a land proudly boasting lush natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural heritage, is undeniably a multispeciality off-beat destination of first choice. The State beckons travellers from every nook and cranny paving the way to a surge in tourism. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is now gearing up for an even more ambitious target in 2025.

 

The State unveils a comprehensive plan focusing on cruise tourism, safe tourism destinations for women, wellness and medical tourism, textile tourism, rural tourism and niche to boost tourism further and establish Madhya Pradesh as a global destination. Noteworthy to mention that Central Government has launched the five-year Cruise Bharat Mission, aiming to boost cruise tourism in India to 1 million passengers and create 4,00,000 jobs by 2029. The mission includes setting up of a dedicated fund, easing of cabotage regulations and financial incentives. “Cruise, with its tremendous potential in our country, has remained unexplored for long as the experts opinionated and finds tremendous potential in this sector. Based on critical pillars of infrastructure development, and cruise experience for tourists and sustainability of resources, the three-phase mission will develop world class infrastructure and enable growth of cruise tourism and maritime trade.