Assam is set to gain a major push to its river cruise tourism and inland waterway economy, with global luxury cruise operator Scenic Group planning an investment of around Rs 750-800 crore over the next decade to develop river cruising on the Ganga and Brahmaputra to international standards.
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the proposed partnership would mark a significant step in placing India on the global river cruise tourism map. The announcement followed a meeting in New Delhi with a delegation from Scenic Group led by its founder and chairman Glen Moroney, along with Ashish Phookan, managing director of Assam Bengal Navigation.
For Assam, the initiative could provide a significant boost to tourism infrastructure along the Brahmaputra and create new opportunities for local businesses, particularly in hospitality, transport, handicraft, food, culture and adventure tourism. Greater participation by an established global luxury cruise company could also bring international standards in cruise vessels, passenger services, safety, shore excursions and destination management, while strengthening Assam’s position as a gateway to the wider Northeast tourism circuit.
River cruises operating on the Brahmaputra can connect visitors with destinations and experiences linked to Assam’s wildlife, indigenous communities, cultural traditions, tea estates and heritage sites, potentially encouraging longer tourist stays and generating spending beyond the cruise vessels themselves. Cruise tourism typically creates demand for local guides, boat operators, drivers, hotels, restaurants, performers, artisans and suppliers, with Assam’s handloom and handicraft sectors also expected to benefit from increased exposure to high-spending international tourists.
Inland waterways and regional connectivity
The partnership is also significant for Assam’s growing role in India’s inland-waterway network. Improved navigability and infrastructure on National Waterway-2, the Brahmaputra, has the potential to support both tourism and commercial movement, complementing the broader effort to expand inland water transport in the Northeast.
Sonowal said India’s revived and rapidly improving inland waterways are attracting major global players, while highlighting the participation of Assam-based entrepreneurs in the initiative. The involvement of Assam Bengal Navigation is particularly important as it represents a bridge between local expertise and international cruise-tourism capabilities. The company has been operating river cruises on the Brahmaputra and Ganga for several years, currently offering luxury cruise itineraries on both waterways, including journeys through Assam covering destinations such as Kaziranga and Majuli.
If implemented as planned, the Rs 750-800 crore investment over the coming decade could have implications extending beyond luxury tourism, potentially supporting employment, local enterprise, infrastructure development and the international positioning of Assam and the Northeast as river-based tourism destinations.
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