Latest news with #Andhra-specific
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
‘MV Empress' makes its way to Vizag
Visakhapatnam: The luxury Cordelia cruise liner MV Empress made its way to Visakhapatnam International Cruise Terminal on July 2 (Wednesday). Marking a significant milestone in the city's advent as a premier destination for cruise tourism, Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), in collaboration with the district administration, organised a grand flag-off ceremony for the vessel's onward voyage. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off the cruise ship and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision that Visakhapatnam would play a key role in boosting tourism and economic growth in the maritime sector. Participating in a virtual mode, Minister of State for MoPSW Shantanu Thakur reaffirmed the Centre's commitment towards promoting cruise tourism across Indian ports. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu extended his best wishes on the occasion through a digital conference and assured complete support for the development of cruise tourism in the State. Minister for Tourism Kandula Durgesh emphasised the AP government's proactive approach in developing tourist circuits and hubs. He mentioned that many more cruise liners will be introduced in Visakhapatnam in future. Special Chief Secretary (Tourism and Culture) Ajay Jain expressed hope for increased cruise traffic to Visakhapatnam Port and assured complete cooperation from the State government under the visionary leadership of Naidu. Reiterating the Prime Minister's vision of promoting cruise tourism at all major ports, chairperson of VPA M Angamuthu shared the Chief Minister's idea of developing maritime hubs for every 50-km stretch, such as ship building, Maritime Skill Development and coastal or cruise tourism. He announced that the VPA would sponsor 5,000 students annually in cruise-led skill development programmes, thereby generating employment and contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of coastal regions. The chairperson shared plans to organise an Andhra-specific cruise dialogue to further accelerate cruise tourism development in coordination with MoPSW, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh. As part of the celebrations, boarding passes were symbolically handed over to the families for their journey aboard the MV Empress in the presence of Collector MN Harendhira Prasad, Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharath, MLA Ch Vamsi Krishna Srinivas and others were present.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Union Minister virtually flags off cruise liner from Vizag to Chennai
The luxury cruise liner M.V. Empress, operated by Cordelia Cruises, which arrived at the Visakhapatnam International Cruise Terminal on Wednesday morning, was flagged off virtually by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal, for Chennai later in the evening. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu extended best wishes and assured all support for the promotion of cruise tourism in the State. Minister of State for MoPSW, Shantanu Thakur reaffirmed the Government of India's commitment to promoting Cruise Tourism across Indian Ports. Minister for Tourism Kandula Durgesh, who participated in the programme, emphasised the State government's proactive approach in developing tourist circuits and hubs, envisioning more cruise liners. Secretary, MoPSW T.K. Ramachandran described the flag-off of M.V. Empress as a historic milestone for Andhra Pradesh's cruise tourism journey and highlighted its potential to boost the local economy, in line with the Maritime India Vision. Special Chief Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Ajay Jain, assured full cooperation on behalf of the government to cruise tourism. Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) Chairperson M. Angamuthu said that the VPA would sponsor 5,000 students annually in cruise-led skill development programmes, generating employment and contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of coastal regions. He revealed plans to organise an Andhra-specific Cruise Dialogue to further accelerate Cruise Tourism development, in coordination with MoPSW, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Collector M. Harendhira Prasad, MP M. Sribharat, MLA Ch. Vamsi Krishna Srinivas and VPA Secretary T. Venu Gopal was present.
