Draft National Tourism Policy 2022 12 th

12. Rivers / Backwaters / Dams
River cruising has become a valuable niche for destinations across the globe, offering a 
more exclusive, intimate experience of a place.
India is well irrigated by its rivers, which flow along the length and breadth of the 
country. Rivers also offer an alternate mode of transportation and recreational 
opportunities. Similarly,
Backwaters are a unique ecosystem, which offer experiential holidays. Dams are 
typically built in pristine environments with reasonable connectivity. Land is also 
available near the dams for developing accommodation centres, gardens, mounting 
water sport activities and other such activities. Planned development ensuring anti-
pollution measures and in tune with the environment can readily yield new tourism 
destinations. 
13. Cruises - Ocean
The Cruise sector is a fast growing component of the leisure industry, worldwide. A huge 
amount of foreign exchange can be earned and sizeable direct & indirect employment 
can be generated onshore by providing the right policy environment and infrastructure 
for the growth of cruise shipping.
India has several advantages like a long coastline and strong port positioning, which 
imparts a natural advantage to the country to attract international cruise lines and 
India’s positioning in South Asia and its proximity to already popular cruise destinations 
would enable strong cruise circuits to be created over a period of time.
It is therefore necessary to explore the creation of dedicated cruise berthing/ facilitation 
services in important ports, ease visa and immigration processes, introduce time 
efficient operations, moderate port charges and incentivize cruise operators to call on 
India.

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Similarly, coastal cruises connecting various Indian ports and river cruises need to be 
incentivized in the short term to add experiential products to our portfolio.