Singapore Tourism Board (STB) launched the first ‘India Cruise Forum’ to provide an occasion to the travel industry to better understand the latest trends, opportunities and nuances of the Indian cruise market. The forum featured discussions on the evolving and dynamic cruise industry in the South East Asian markets and the existing opportunities for the Indian market.
The inaugural forum brought together significant speakers from the cruise industry on a common business platform which gave international brands deep insights into the workings of the Indian cruise industry and opportunities with key players across the value chain.
Neeta Lachmandas, Assistant Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said “Cruising is a refreshing way to enjoy the diversity of Southeast Asia, with Singapore being the ideal place to start and end one’s cruise vacation. With India being one of our top source markets for cruising, we hope that the cruise forum will provide a common business platform to exchange invaluable knowledge and create new opportunities to grow the cruise business.”
Gavin Smith, Regional Vice President – Asia Pacific, Royal Caribbean International, said ” We think that this new platform will be a useful start to bring together local, regional and international stakeholders to identify ways to drive this cruise market forward, by bridging today’s gap between Indian travellers and cruises from Singapore, and ultimately help realise its full potential for us.”
Ratna Chadha, Chief Executive, TIRUN Travel Marketing, said “The event is a great initiative that STB has undertaken to bring all stake holders on the same platform. It allows for exchange of ideas, a perspective into the relevance of cruising for India and to help increase our market.”
Naresh Rawal, VP Sales – India, South Asia, Russia, Middle East and South Africa, Star Cruises, said, “Cruising recently has become one of the most preferred forms of holiday in South East Asia and we’ve seen a similar trend in India in recent years. Today a cruise offers various opportunities for on-shore and off-shore entertainment options which cater to all kinds of holiday-goers, from families, senior citizens, honeymooners to MICE travellers. This in turn, benefits the economy and makes tourism more lucrative.”
Nishith Saxena, Founder & Director, Cruise Professionals, said, “Cruise Tourism, including inbound, outbound & river cruising, must gradually carve out its own space in the mind-space of evolved Indian traveller. Though its growth is slow & gradual, it needs to pick-up speed now.”
