NRIs plan 1st Indian Ocean luxury cruise
Hi Satish,
Hummm,these Western vegetarians are maniacs aren't they?<g>
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(Source:Asian Age)
London: Fancy exploring the exotic islands of the Indian Ocean from aboard a majestic cruise liner, strolling on the deck under the open Arabian sky or having a flutter at the on-board casino.
These blandishments could be just around the corner when a group of NRIs from Britain and US launch the first Indian Ocean luxury cruise for Asian holidaymakers in a bid to exploit a lucrative segment of the leisure market.
The venture is being masterminded by a New York-based entrepreneur, Mr Jaswant Lalwani, a former senior executive of international shipping group Cunard, who has managed such floating jaunts for several years in other parts of the world.
He told The Asian Age in an interview: "There are lots of holiday cruises all over the world — the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia for example — but never any really big cruise venture in the Indian Ocean. Only small ones. We hope to be the first." He adds that the project intends to target Indians not only from the subcontinent but from all over the world.
It may not be up to QE2 standards but the liner will boast a 500 or so capacity and a host of 5-star facilities such as deluxe cabins, restaurants, swimming pool and a floating casino. Commencing in October 2000, its itinerary, which is still being finalised, will be via several Indian ports and therefore a major attraction for the Indian honeymooner and business executive alike.
So far, an impressive line-up of heavy-weight UK bankers and businessmen is backing the project. These include Standard Chartered head Rana Talwar, Citibank director Victor Menezes and curry king G.K. Noon among others. The total cost is estimated at £5.5 million with individual investors putting up in the region of £0.5 million.
"We will be leasing a suitable ship rather than buying one outright so the initial investment will be relatively low," said Mr G.K. Noon, who believes that the idea of luxury cruise will be a runaway success on the subcontinent.
Part of the strategy is to keep the cost of a 7-day cruise package at an affordable level. According to the promoters, this will amount to between $2,500-3000.
A charter contract has already been signed for a vessel and if all goes according to plan, the first cruises will be full steam ahead by end next year.
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