Catamaran cruise to enter Goan waters

Posted on 2009-04-20
PANAJI- In the very near future, tourists will learn about Goa’s culture and heritage on board sleek and fancy cruise catamarans. A sailing catamaran is the latest entry to Goa’s tourism industry, which is always looking for new innovations to attract tourists.
Introducing the cruise catamaran concept is Mr Hemant Arondeker director of Goa Voyageur Pvt Ltd. The company has ambitious plans to take Goa tourism to new heights. If all goes well in its acquisition of the catamaran, Goa Voyageur itinerary will include day trips from Panaji to Leela, Cavelosim beach, with stops on the way. The trip will include scuba diving, snorkeling and a host of other water entertainment.
For the evening it plans to offer short sunset cruises, dinner parties on board for private charters, or lease it for executive meetings and for advertising and publicity filming. The sky is the limit. And thus it will open up employment for a new breed of locals.
The catamaran cruise concept will also complement the state government investment of Rs 73 crore on improving infrastructures and heritage site. Build new facilities such as jetties on the rivers of Mandovi, Zuari and coastal areas.
Named the Ocean Voyager Fast 62’, the sailing catamaran is built by CIM, France and is priced a little less than a million euros, said Mr Laurent Bonnet, a CIM official in charge of its promotion in India. Fast 62 was displayed at the Kala Academy jetty in Panaji. It is built to accommodate 40 people, plus for two crewmembers. Mr Hemant is looking at government grants and financial support in its acquisition as competition from outside is getting intensive for Goa tourism market.
CIM builds various ranges starting from 40 feet upwards. The company is on a marketing mission in Goa and the next stop is Mumbai. It has arrived from Muscat, Oman after taking four orders from Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“Several negotiations are underway,” Mr Bonnet said.
Explaining the features of the Voyager Fast 62’, he said it is built and optimised like a racing boat to reduce weight and thus support the performances under sail at a speed of 18 to 20 knots is regularly reached. The commercial use is a simple and reliable concept easy to maintain and makes it possible to dock virtually anywhere.
“It also associated to a rapid return on investment,’ he adds.