T’puram: The state govt plans to develop Vizhinjam as an international cruise tourism destination, with a proposed cruise terminal and passenger facilities aimed at attracting foreign tourists and boosting tourism-related economic activities in southern Keralam.Tourism and culture minister P C Vishnunadh , in a reply in the assembly, outlined the proposed facilities, including a cruise terminal, immigration and customs facilities, a tourist information centre and visitor services. The plan also envisages day trips and heritage tours for international passengers arriving at the port.The proposed initiative seeks to capitalise on Vizhinjam’s strategic location near the international east-west shipping route and its natural deep-water characteristics, which make the location attractive for maritime activities. According to the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB), Vizhinjam is located about 10 nautical miles from the international shipping route and has access to major road and rail networks. The international airport in Thiruvananthapuram is around 12km from the port.Under the proposed tourism plan, cruise passengers will be offered excursions to destinations such as Kovalam, Varkala and the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The tours are expected to combine the region’s beaches, cultural heritage and religious attractions, allowing international visitors to explore the capital district during their port calls.The proposed immigration and customs facilities would be essential to handling international passengers, while dedicated visitor services and tourist information facilities would help coordinate excursions and other travel requirements.Vizhinjam has already been included in the state’s broader plans to expand maritime tourism. In a 2024 expression of interest document, KMB noted that the port had hosted more than 20 foreign cruise vessels since 2009, bringing in over 3,350 foreign passengers. The document also referred to plans to include a dedicated cruise berth at Vizhinjam in a future phase of port development.The state has also explored coastal cruise services connecting Kerala’s ports with destinations in neighbouring states. A proposed network would link ports such as Vizhinjam, Kollam, Kochi and Beypore, creating opportunities for coastal tourism and passenger travel.The proposed cruise tourism hub is expected to generate opportunities in hospitality, transport, tour operations, local commerce and other allied sectors. However, the timeline for implementing the project, the investment required and the development schedule for the proposed terminal have not been specified in the information available.
