Cruise tourists start coming back to Mumbai

All hullaballoo regarding the fate of tourist inflow to Mumbai was put to silent when P&O's cruise ship Arcadia berthed at the cruise teminal at Mumbai Port last week.

The 2005-built ship brought along with it 1900 cruise tourists and 900 crew. ���It was a positive sign of recouping not only of the industry but also of the city, whose spirit was devastaged when terrorists attacked it in November 2008��� said a tour operator.

According to Indian tourists in the ship, abundance security was provided by the cruise operator who has brought in security personnel from the USA.

More heartening was to see large groups of tourists visiting Taj Hotel, one of the worst-hit in the terror attacks, he said.

According to the operator, India is likely to see more tourist footfalls this year with more than 55 ships expected call at port locations across the country. During cruise season from October to May, about 45 vessels called at Indian ports last year.