Skift Take
Goa has witnessed a 40% increase in cruise tourism, and a new terminal is coming soon. But there are more problems in the state that need to be solved to attract international tourists.
Goa is developing a new cruise terminal at the Mormugao Port, a response to a 40% increase in cruise passengers during the 2024 fiscal year and a 15% increase in calls by cruise vessels.
The international and domestic terminal is expected to be completed by next March. It will have duty-free retail shops, with the international terminal featuring 24 immigration counters, 10 check-in counters, and a waiting lounge among other amenities. The domestic terminal will have 12 check-in counters and waiting lounges.
“This initiative will place Goa on the global map and enhance its brand image,” said Ryan Prazeres, co-founder of Goa-based sightseeing travel agency OneBoard App. But Prazeres pointed to other challenges that Goa faces.
“It’s essential to gather insights from cruise passengers as well, especially since there have been reports of harassment from tours and taxi operators. If these issues persist, quality international tourists might be hesitant to visit Goa,” he told Skift.
In an earlier interview with Skift, Intrepid Travel’s India general manager Rama Mahendru also pointed out the challenges that India needs to deal with to attract more international tourists: safety of female travelers, hygiene and sanitation, petty thefts and overcharging, and skilled labor.
Cruise Tourism Rise in India: India recorded its highest-ever cruise tourism footfall in the 2024 financial year: 470,000. In 2019-20, India had about 420,000 tourists. Nearly 80% of the cruise tourists last year were domestic, while the country waits for international cruise tourism to revert to pre-Covid levels. For context, pre-pandemic, the split was roughly equal.
India is aiming to achieve a target of 1.5 million cruise tourists by 2030.
Air India Begins Retrofitting of Legacy Fleet
Full-service airline Air India has begun the retrofitting of its 67 legacy aircraft. The $400 million retrofit program will include modifying the old fleet with the updated three-cabin configuration, new livery, and new seats.
The retrofit program commenced with the 27 narrowbody Airbus A320neo aircraft, followed by 40 widebody Boeing jets. The first aircraft went into the hangar for retrofitting on Monday, and Air India is expecting it to re-enter operations in December this year.
Three to four aircraft will undergo the retrofit each month, and the full narrowbody fleet is expected to be upgraded by mid-2025.
The program was expected to begin next year, and Air India has procured around 25,000 new seats. The cabin will get business, premium economy, and economy sections, joining the newly inducted Air India A320neo aircraft.
The upgrade comes amid Air India’s merger with sister airline Vistara. The merger has been ongoing for 20 months and, as per Vistara’s statement, is expected to be completed by November 12.
Ventive Hospitality Files for $239 Million IPO
Luxury and business hotels company Ventive Hospitality has filed its draft papers for an IPO of INR 20 billion ($238.7 million) with Indian stock exchange regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India). It aims to utilize the proceeds from the IPO primarily towards repayment or prepayment of certain borrowings availed by the company and its subsidiaries.
Ventive Hospitality has properties in India and Maldives. As of March 2024, its portfolio included 11 operational hospitality projects, which are managed by brands including Marriott, Hilton, and Atmosphere. It has a total of over 2,000 rooms in operational inventory.
Bangalore Airport Starts Screening of International Arrivals Amid Mpox Scare
The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore has commenced the screening of international inbound passengers as a measure to prevent Mpox or MonkeyPox. The authorities will scan passengers for high temperatures.
This comes days after India reported its first confirmed case of the infection. “In addition, an isolation zone has been established on-site to manage any suspected cases swiftly and efficiently,” the airport spokesperson said.
IndiGo Expands Domestic Connectivity
Low-cost airline IndiGo is enhancing its domestic connectivity. It has announced daily direct flights from Delhi to the pilgrim city of Tirupati. The operations on this route will commence in October.
The airline is also doubling its frequency on the route connecting Delhi with Aizawl in the Northeast region from five flights a week to 10. IndiGo will also fly the Delhi-Dimapur sector seven times a week, up from its current schedule of five weekly flights.