House panel for simplification of rules for cruise ships

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 3

A parliamentary committee, report of which was laid in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, recommended simplification of immigration process for tourists aboard foreign cruise ships and providing a “conducive fiscal regime” for cruise ships through development of dedicated terminals and other related infrastructure.

The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture headed by BJP Rajya Sabha member TG Venkatesh said the Ministry of Shipping should consult with the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Finance on relaxation of the immigration process for passengers aboard foreign cruise ships.

The 31-member parliamentary standing committee recommended that the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Shipping should jointly form a task force on cruise tourism to give a boost to it. The task force should have representatives of other stakeholders of cruise tourism business as well, the committee stated.