Cruise industry in India - Essay Example

Cruise industry in India Cruising today represents an age of elegance, sophistication along with the feeling of enjoying such a rich travel experience that instills a cruise vacation with so many mystiques. A great deal of time is wasted in activities like checking-in and out of hotels, making flight connections. There are many more tangible attractions to cruising, such as value for money, excellence of service, huge variety of appeal and an ideal source of all round entertainment and fun. Cruising is a wonderfully thrilling way to spend a vacation. In today's world there are over 50 major Cruise Lines that sail over 300 cruise ships throughout the world. Cruising is a diverse and multi dimensional product. From the budget priced basic cruise experience to the ultra luxury of the all-inclusive small ships, from the Caribbean super-lines to the adventure ships cruise the waters of the Antarctic. Cruise Ships: A cruise ship or cruise liner is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the amenities of the ship are considered an essential part of the experience. Ocean Liners: An ocean liner is a larger commercial vessel carrying passengers and goods. Ocean liners are made to transport people across the ocean. Ocean liners are designed for speed and rough weather. Cunard Line: Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Disney Cruise Line: Magic , Wonder Norwegian Cruise Line: Sun, Sea, Star, Royal Caribbean International: Vision, Voyager, Adventure, Radisson Seven Seas Cruise: Mariner, Voyager Star Cruises: Virgo , Gemini , Leo , Libra are most popular cruise liners with five star facilities on board. The popular brand cruises offer short voyages to long voyages. Cruises are most sought as they are having the fallowing features VALUE: One price buys your cabin, dining, entertainment and more. VARIETY: With over 150 distinctive ships, 1800 ports-of-call and an unbelievable array of places to see and things to do. ACTIVITIES: Fill your days with sightseeing, sports activities, cultural lectures, educational tours led by naturalists and historians or simply lounge by the pool and relax. At night, enjoy dance extravaganzas, musical revues, gaming or a quiet evening gazing at the stars. SIMPLICITY: Planning a cruise is simple; you're on board, nearly all expenses are pre- paid so vacation becomes hassle-free. FAMILY : Ideal for family vacation. PAMPERING. Regardless of your budget, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first- class service around the clock. SATISFACTION : It's a fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience The cruise industry is the most exciting and fastest growing segment of the travel industry throughout the world today. The cruise market is strong throughout the world and particularly in the USA and UK. Currently, the Caribbean holds almost 67% of the market share in the total global cruise industry whilst the Far East (Asian Region) holds only 2%. The cruise companies targeting Indian customers feel that the cruise market segment in India is now coming of age. Not yet into the number game in terms of passengers, cruise liners have demarcated their market segments and clientele. Realising the competition and the objective, these companies have set their targets towards capturing the vast potential. The Indian travel industry can be virtually described as a melting pot of possibilities. India with its vast beautiful coastline and long historical and cultural traditions, theatre and performing art can be developed as a popular tourist destination for cruise tourism. The emerging trends like the rise in the standard of living, Modern lifestyle, enhanced economic standards, competitive work culture and the revelation of internet based technology in tourism and travel has made the planning vacation easier. Indian information technology prowess lead to more economic stability and young and highly paid generation are looking for some unique experience. Cruise as depicted above have every component which gives a wonderful experience in a isolated ambience with first class facilities. The base price for a cruise from a short haul has suddenly opened up this segment to a seemingly infinite market. Eying this potential, cruise liners globally have drawing special strategies for the Indian market. Cruise companies are offering designer packages for their target audience. The promotional and marketing strategies are meticulously designed to suit the Indian consumer. Although the cruise liners had made their entry in the Indian market a few years ago, the operators are optimistic about the growth. The growth would be possible only by creating awareness about the entire experience of cruising as they realize that as a product, cruising is fairly new to the Indian travelers. The level of awareness with regards to cruising as a vacation option has increased considerably over the last few years. Cruising was considered to be either for the retired and the elderly or the rich and famous. Now-a-days honeymooners, entrepreneurs, senior corporate executives, adventure traffic and families are all part of clientele. A great deal of time is wasted in activities like checking-in and out of hotels, making flight connections. The cruise companies targeting Indian customers feel that the cruise market segment in India is now evolving into niche market as new players permeating the arena. The initial stage the individual cruise liners are targeting specific customers and specific regions. Star Cruises already has entered into Indian market enjoys a major share. The star cruises an aggressive marketing strategy and extensive distribution network having a strong presence in Western, Southern and Eastern region and also the Gujarat region. The Indian market is huge as it has the highest population and so diverse. The culture and standard differs from region to region making it more complex to market the cruise product. The cruise liners should successful in positioning itself as an alternate to land vacations highlighting its salient features namely - lots of fun and excitement and great value for money. The distribution should strong enough to spread the cruise as a product not only in metro cities but also in satellite towns. The cruise tourism can only developed with: More port facilities. Easing entry formalities Awareness of cruise as a viable alternative Infrastructure development like dedicated terminals at the ports, rest rooms, lounges and baggage handling through conveyor belts should ensured open up the emerging cruise sector to foreign direct investment Reference sources: http://www.blonnet.com/2005/08/22/stories/2005082201760200.htm http://www.expresstravelandtourism.com/200511/lookout08.shtml http://www.echeat.com/essay.phpt=27494 http://www.broadcastindia.com/article438930.html http://tourism.nic.in/statistics/FTAIS2003.pdf http://www.valuewebindia.com/article438976.html http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/10/ebr11.htm Read More