Why in Broadcast?

• The PM, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the World’s Longest River Cruise-MV Ganga Vilas and inaugurated the Tent City at Varanasi on 13th January, 2023.

About MV Ganga Vilas Cruise

• The MV Ganga Vilas cruise is a first-of-its-kind cruise service, with support from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Waterways (MoPSW).
• It will begin its journey from Varanasi in UP and travel around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, sailing across 27 river systems in India and Bangladesh.
• The ship follows sustainable principles at its core as it is equipped with pollution-free mechanisms and noise control technologies.

Places to be Covered

• The MV Ganga Vilas cruise is curated to bring out the best of the country to be showcased to the world.
• The 51 days cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist spots including World Heritage Sights, National Parks, river Ghats, and major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh and Guwahati in Assam.

Boost For Tourism in India

• The journey will give the tourists an opportunity to embark upon an experiential voyage and indulge in the art, culture, history, and spirituality of India and Bangladesh.
• From the “Ganga Arti” in Varanasi, it will stop at Sarnath, a place of reverence for Buddhism.
• It will also cover Mayong, known for its Tantric craft, and Majuli, the largest river island and hub of Vaishnavite cultural in Assam.
• The travellers will also visit the Bihar School of Yoga and Vikramshila University.
• The cruise will also traverse through the biodiversity rich World Heritage Sites of Sunderbans in Bay of Bengal delta, famous for Royal Bengal Tigers, as well as Kaziranga National Park, famous for one horn rhino.

Indian Tourism Market

• The Tourism and Hospitality industry is one of the largest service industries in India.
• The tourism industry is one of the largest employers of the women workforce.
• The tourism sector in India is an integral pillar of the Make in India programme.
• The industry in India plays a role of significant economic multiplier and becomes critical since India has to grow at rapid rates and create jobs.
• India is currently ranked 54th in World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (2021).
• By 2030, India is expected to be among the top five business travel markets.
• India offers geographical diversity, world heritage sites and niche tourism products like cruises, adventure, medical, eco-tourism, etc.
• Incredible India has spurred growth in tourists arrivals and employment.
• India aims to increase cruise passenger traffic from 0.4 mn at present to 4 mn.
• Economic potential of Cruise tourism is expected to go up from $110 mn to $5.5 bn in the years to come.
• Tourism tends to encourage the development of multiple-use infrastructure including hotels, resorts & restaurants, transport infrastructure (aviation, roads, shipping & railways) and healthcare facilities.