Goa in India has seen a 40% increase in cruise tourism, prompting the development of a new cruise terminal at the Mormugao Port. This new terminal is set to be completed by the next March and will include duty-free retail shops, immigration counters, check-in counters, and waiting lounges. The goal is to enhance Goa’s brand image and put it on the global map, according to Ryan Prazeres, co-founder of a local sightseeing travel agency. However, there are challenges such as reports of harassment from tour and taxi operators that need to be addressed to attract quality international tourists.
India recorded its highest-ever cruise tourism footfall in the 2024 financial year with 470,000 tourists, an increase from 420,000 in 2019-20. However, most of these cruise tourists were domestic, as international cruise tourism is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. India is aiming to attract 1.5 million cruise tourists by 2030, and the country needs to address various challenges such as safety of female travelers, hygiene and sanitation, petty thefts, overcharging, and skilled labor to attract more international tourists, according to Intrepid Travel’s India general manager.
In another development, Air India has begun retrofitting its legacy fleet of 67 aircraft in a $400 million program. This includes upgrading the fleet with a new three-cabin configuration, new livery, and new seats. The retrofit program has started with narrowbody Airbus A320neo aircraft and will be followed by widebody Boeing jets. The new configuration will include business, premium economy, and economy sections, aligning with the newly inducted A320neo aircraft into Air India’s fleet. The fleet is expected to be fully upgraded by mid-2025.
Luxury and business hotels company Ventive Hospitality has filed for an IPO of INR 20 billion ($238.7 million) with the Indian stock exchange regulator SEBI. The company aims to utilize the proceeds primarily towards repayment or prepayment of certain borrowings. Ventive Hospitality has properties in India and the Maldives, with 11 operational hospitality projects managed by brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Atmosphere. The company’s portfolio includes over 2,000 rooms in operational inventory.
The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore has started screening international inbound passengers in response to the Mpox or MonkeyPox scare. This measure aims to prevent the spread of the infection following India’s first confirmed case. Passengers will be scanned for high temperatures, and an isolation zone has been established on-site to manage any suspected cases swiftly and efficiently. Meanwhile, low-cost airline IndiGo is expanding its domestic connectivity with daily direct flights from Delhi to Tirupati and increased frequency on routes connecting Delhi with Aizawl and Dimapur.
Overall, India is seeing growth in various sectors such as cruise tourism, airline retrofitting, hotel industry IPOs, airport safety measures, and airline route expansions. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed such as improving infrastructure, addressing safety concerns, preventing infections, and enhancing the overall travel experience to attract more international tourists and strengthen India’s position as a global travel destination. These developments indicate the potential for growth and opportunities in the Indian travel industry, provided that these challenges are effectively managed.
