KOZHIKODE: Cruise tourism in Kerala is set to get a big boost with the launch of high-speed hydrofoil ship service between Ernakulam and Kozhikode in the first week of April. A Dubai-based company will run the service in cooperation with the District Tourism Promotion Council and the state government with the aim of facilitating international tourists coming to the two cities.
Kozhikode district port officer Aswini Kumar told DC that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had announced that the ship service would be launched from this month-end, but due to some technical glitches, the date was postponed to April first week to complete the procedures at the boarding area.
The recently developed Velayil fishing harbour has been kept apart as the boarding area. "Beypore port has all the boarding and departure facilities, but it is far from the town and hence passengers will not prefer it. That is why Velayil harbour was chosen for the landing," he added.
A bus takes a running time of five or six hours between Ernakulam and Kozhikode but the cruise ship needs only four to four-and-a-half hours. The ship which is now under survey in Greece will soon be taken to Ernakulam. The service with all modern facilities will run at a speed of 50 to 60 km per hour.
