The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prof K V Thomas inaugurated a Cruise Passenger Facilitation Centre at the Cochin Port today.

The Facilitation Centre, covering an area of 1500 square meter has dedicated Customs and Immigration Counters, X-ray scanning machines, metal detectors, rest rooms and prayer rooms for the convenience of cruise passengers.

The Centre has been set up at a cost of nearly six crore rupees, of which the union Ministry of Tourism has contributed about five crore rupees.

The Cochin Port has emerged as a major hub of cruise tourism in recent years, hosting 44 luxury cruise vefssels and nearly 58,000 tourists last year alone.