Egyptian themed luxury vessel to be launched by end of October

: Nefertiti, the Egyptian themed luxury vessel of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation, would be launched by the end of October, charting a new course in cruise tourism in the state, a KSNIC official said Sunday.

Equipped with a 3D theatre, air conditioned hall, a sun deck,banquet hall, barlounge and an area for recreational activities, the vessel can carry 200 passengers.

Mohammed Hanish, Managing Director ofKSINC, said it took around one and a half years to build the vessel.

"The ship is not only named after the beautiful Egyptian queen Nefertiti, but also has several features that remind people of one ofthe oldest civilizations of the world," he saidon the sidelines of Kerala Travel Mart 2018 at Willingdon Island here, where the vessel has been showcased.

Hanish said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is expected to inaugurate the luxury vessel.

Abraham George, former KTM president and expert member of the National Tourism Advisory Council, said there was no doubt that Nefertiti would contribute to tourism development in the state.

"It can do wonders in the tourism industry if Kochi can be transformed as the cruise hub," he said.