Visakhapatnam welcomes Cordelia Cruises: A new era for coastal tourism

By Admin

03 Jul, 2025

Visakhapatnam marked a significant milestone in India's maritime tourism journey as it warmly welcomed the luxury cruise liner M.V. Empress, operated by Cordelia Cruises, at the Visakhapatnam International Cruise Terminal on Wednesday morning. This momentous occasion not only boosts the city’s image as a tourism hub but also sets the stage for a new chapter in coastal and cruise tourism across Andhra Pradesh and the eastern coastline of India.

The ceremonial flag-off for the cruise liner heading to Chennai was conducted virtually by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal. In his address, he expressed confidence in the tremendous potential of Indian ports to become cruise tourism hotspots, in line with the Government of India’s vision.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu extended his best wishes for this maritime milestone and assured the cruise operators and stakeholders of complete State support to foster cruise tourism in the region. The State government, under his leadership, is committed to enhancing the infrastructure needed to welcome more such luxury liners in the future.

Joining the event, Minister of State for MoPSW, Shantanu Thakur, emphasized the Central Government’s unwavering focus on building world-class cruise terminals and facilities across Indian ports. He underscored the collaborative efforts between the Centre and State governments as a key driver for tourism growth.

State Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, in his remarks, highlighted the Andhra Pradesh government’s proactive initiatives in developing integrated tourist circuits and maritime hubs, making the state an attractive destination for global cruise operators. His vision includes making Visakhapatnam a central node in India's cruise tourism map.

Describing the arrival and flag-off of M.V. Empress as a historic milestone, MoPSW Secretary T.K. Ramachandran stated that such developments are in perfect alignment with the Maritime India Vision, aiming to promote sustainable economic growth and local employment through tourism.

Reinforcing the government’s commitment, Ajay Jain, Special Chief Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, assured full cooperation to further strengthen cruise connectivity and tourist engagement initiatives.

Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) Chairperson M. Angamuthu announced a skill development programme, under which 5,000 students will be sponsored annually to receive training in cruise-tourism-related fields. This initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities and foster socio-economic upliftment in the coastal regions. Additionally, he shared plans to hold an Andhra-specific Cruise Dialogue, in collaboration with MoPSW, the Ministry of Tourism, and the State Government to accelerate the cruise tourism ecosystem.

The event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries including Collector M. Harendhira Prasad, MP M. Sribharat, MLA Ch. Vamsi Krishna Srinivas, and VPA Secretary T. Venu Gopal.

With the arrival of M.V. Empress and the strong support from both central and state leadership, Visakhapatnam has embarked on an exciting voyage into the world of luxury cruise tourism, setting an inspiring precedent for other coastal states in India.