Team Herald
VASCO: Signalling good days for cruise tourism, Goa is expected to receive double the number of cruise vessels from various countries this season as compared to the last season.
As per the records obtained from Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), last year 27 cruise vessels from different countries had visited the Mormugao port bringing in nearly 40,000 passengers including crew members. However, this season 40 cruise vessels have already planned to visit Goa, bringing in 78,000 passengers.
“It is good sign that more and more cruise vessels have planned to visit Goa this year. We are all prepared to welcome the first cruise vessel ‘Azamara Journey’ with 700 passengers on November 8. Similarly, to provide better facility to the passengers our modern cruise terminal building having immigrations, customs and e-visa facilities under one roof would be ready by November end,” said MPT Chairman I Jeyakumar.
“As per the information received from the Central government, earlier we were not having facility for group landing. However, MPT has been coordinating with immigration to provide such facilities for passengers and this will surely favour Goa tourism to large extend,” he said.
Further, he said, “We have made arrangements for opening e-visa facility under the cruise terminal building and this facility would also start by November 30. We are making all efforts along with the State tourism department to promote Goa globally so that more and more cruise vessels with tourists can come to Goa, year after year,” he said.
Meanwhile, as per the data provided by MPT, between November and December, 15 cruise vessels would arrive in Goa and the last cruise vessel would arrive on June 6.
