India, ASEAN Boost Cruise Tourism in Indo-Pacific Region
India is collaborating with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to strengthen maritime ties. Their focus is to boost cruise shipping connections and encourage sustainable tourism throughout the Indo-Pacific area.
ASEAN Cruise Dialogue
India is the host of the second ASEAN Cruise dialogue, marking the first time the event is being held in the country. Officials said the goal is to create a cruise route similar to the Caribbean circuit in India’s vicinity.
The meeting in Tamil Nadu includes representatives from all ASEAN member countries, like Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, and others. According to **India’s** Shipping Minister **Sarbananda Sonowal**, this dialogue aims to foster collaboration to promote cruise shipping and maximize its potential.
Heritage-Led Tourism
As part of the ongoing discussions, the delegation is scheduled to visit Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site close to Chennai. Discussions will center on heritage-based cruise tourism and enhanced collaboration between ASEAN and India. Delegates will also visit shore temples and rock-cut monuments, showcasing India’s cultural and coastal allure.
According to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council, cruise tourism’s contribution to the global economy is expected to reach $36.6 billion in 2024, demonstrating its significant impact WTTC, 2024.
Integrated Cruise Network
“We are joining hands so that, in this part of the world, ASEAN and India can play an important role,”
said **Sonowal**. India intends to make 5,000 km of waterways navigable to improve cruise connectivity with ASEAN nations. India is planning to collaborate with ASEAN countries to develop cruise tourism and tourism circuits in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean region.
**Sonowal** added that an integrated cruise network linking Indian ports with ASEAN destinations, supported by real-time tracking and modern terminals, is envisioned and will be discussed. The minister highlighted the significant growth in India’s cruise shipping sector, noting a more than fivefold increase in passengers over the past decade.
Strategic Enabler
Participants at the event will include government officials, policy leaders, and industry leaders, who will discuss connectivity gaps, regulatory best practices, and ways to promote inclusive and sustainable cruise growth in the region. The Indian government envisions the ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue as a recurring multilateral forum, serving as a strategic enabler for regional maritime growth and people-to-people connectivity. This edition signifies a major advancement in positioning India and ASEAN at the heart of cruise tourism in the Indo-Pacific.