Is It Time To Dock Your Yacht In India?

India recently played host to a major luxury boating conference which seems to have opened up a new and exciting avenue for the country. While India has become home to many extremely rich individuals, until now the marinas in India have been distinctly lacking but this looks all set to change as waterfront living comes to India’s shores.

Just last week nubricks reported on high profile plans for new golf courses in India but at the same time, the foundation stone was set in what is destined to be the first of a number of high profile and high class yachting marinas across the coastline of India. This marina venture is situated at Bolgatty Island in the district of Kochi in Central Kerala, but this is only the first in a number of planned developments along the coastline of India by Kerala’s tourism development corporation. Following the recent boat show many are speculating that we are about to see a major increase in demand for luxury boats and yachting with more interest shown than ever before. This will naturally pave the way for further marina developments many of which often capitalise on their favourable outlook to incorporate waterfront property developments.

The new marina in Kochi is set to break new ground in the worldwide marina market with the Bolgatty Island project set to be the only marina in the world to house its own golf course and will be located close to the current Bolgatty Palace Hotel. India’s first marina will initially accommodate 50 yachts in the first phase and there are plans for a number of luxury homes which will back on to each of the docking bays, giving the exclusivity which is often so lacking in many coastal regions.

There are high hopes that the marinas will attract yet more tourists to the region, offering a useful link between India and many other areas of the world. Kochi Port already has plans to transform itself with the expertise of Dubai Ports International into a major container and cruise terminal by 2009 which alongside plans for the new marina should bring India’s nautical prowess bang up to date. Currently there are over 200 boats and around 50 yachts owned by those resident in Mumbai and Goa, which seems to indicate that there is a ready made market there already. For some time Goa has been one of the few places where visitors could dock their yachts and boats but this is all set to change, and introduce yet more competition and intrigue into the Indian tourist sector.