Published on : Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Ever since the first cruise boat docked at MPT three tourist seasons ago, cruise tourism arrivals in Goa have been on a descending path. Suring the 2011-12 season, 25 cruise vessels had docked at MPT, which reduced to 24 cruise vessels in the 2012-13 season and further slid down to 17 cruise vessels in the 2013-14 season, states the tourism department figures.
While 22,233 cruise boat tourists visited Goa in 2011-12, the number reduced by around 50% in 2013-14 when only 11,356 cruise boat tourists visited Goa.
The Goa government two days ago laid the foundation stone for cruise passenger terminal in Vasco which might come as a relief for stakeholders.
Shabby and inadequate infrastructure has received negative feedback from cruise boat tourists if travel industry sources are to be believed. As such Goa is losing out on high-end cruise boat tourists.
Around half the cruise boat tourists prefer to simply wander around the port town, Vasco, to soak in the local sights and do some shopping. According to sources, who point out that there are hardly any designer boutiques or fancy dining options, this disappoints the tourists. One large cruise boat brings in around 1,500 to 2,000-plus tourists.
A source familiar with international cruise boat operations said Goa needs an exclusive cruise boat terminal if it wants cruise boats to still come calling.
Tags: Goa cruise tourism
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