Mumbai: The government has identified five ports for developing as cruise tourism hubs with a view to encouraging high-end tourism in the country.

The ports identified for the purpose are Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore and Kochi on the west coast, and Tuticorin on the east coast, official sources said.

The ministry will also extend assistance for procurement of cruise vessels or boats for promotion of this new tourism initiative, the official said.

The decision to develop these ports as world class tourist hubs close on the heels of the government setting up of high-powered steering committee with members from ministry of tourism and ministry of shipping on the board for formulating the cruise tourism policy of the country.

The committee in turn formed another "working group" to identify the ports.

"The ministry of tourism has ready to extend financial assistance for tourism infrastructure, development of specified tourism projects, including projects related to coastal monuments and tourist spots of different states and the UTs," a senior official in the ministry of tourism said.