Date:11/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/10/11/stories/2004101101451300.htm

Back `Pleasure boating has vast scope in India'

Our Bureau

Kochi , Oct. 10

THE leisure boat marketing has good potential in India as compared with other Asian countries in view of the stagnant leisure boating activities in the West, Mr Jyrki Jaama, General Manager, Simpson Marine (SEA), Singapore, has said.

Speaking at a seminar organised at the venue of the India International Boat Show 2004, he said that India, Thailand and Malaysia are the upcoming markets in leisure boat marketing in Asia and the global players concentrating in this field are ready to set up production facilities in these countries. The pleasure-boating culture is more natural in India than other Asian countries. This is because the love for water is a way of life here. Though a healthy economy like Singapore has five marinas and five are under construction, it does not have a boating culture, he added.

The former Joint Commissioner of Customs and Arjuna award winner for yachting, Mr Gulshan Rai, said that though India has a rich maritime heritage, yachting is yet to catch up though it was introduced in the 1830s by the erstwhile Maharajas, Nawabs and Governors. Even a small country like Sri Lanka manufactures and exports yachts to England, but not to India, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism, Mr E.K. Bharat Bhushan, said that many exciting projects are coming up in Kochi soon and these include the international container transhipment terminal and a marina. The State Government is also planning to set up a boating recreational centre in Alappuzha, considering the enchanting backwaters in the region.

The Director of Abonmarche Asia, Singapore, who is also the advisor for the upcoming Cochin International Marina Club, Mr Jason P Kurek, said that regional marinas began to develop in the late 80's, when economies in Asia began to prosper.

The Managing Director of Spinnaker International, Singapore, Mr Y P Loke, said that boating would lead to a healthy lifestyle among both the young and the old. It is not a land-intensive investment and is environment friendly. Waterside properties too would develop once boating develops as a culture, he said.

The General Manager of Volvo Penta-India, Mr S. Prabhakaran, said that inland waterway is a good alternative to roads. India has 16,000 km of waterways and there is immense potential for its development.

The media plays a crucial role in eliminating the fears about boating. It is not exactly a rich man's hobby. The whole of the family and friends can participate in boating, Mr Kim Hollamby, the Group Editor of the International Boat Industry Magazine, UK, said.