Heraklion Port Brings in the Luxury Liners, Wins Best Practices Award

The Heraklion Port Authority’s (HPO) ongoing promotional campaign is bringing in the crowds as all the more cruise liners are make the Cretan city their port of call.

For September, the HPO expects an additional 23,500 visitors compared to last year, with October welcoming an estimated 57,000 cruise travelers, adding up to a 117,200 total for the year.

Under the port authority’s recent promotional “Five Senses” campaign, cruise passengers are treated upon arrival to a welcoming event with traditional delicacies, Cretan song and dance, flash mob events, as well as Greek and Cretan cooking lessons and a farewell fiesta with the local philharmonic orchestra performing soundtracks and scores from favorite musicals.

Heraklion Port Authority chairman and managing director Ioannis Bras.

In the meantime, the HPO clinched Bronze earlier this week in the “Cooperation: Business-Local Community-State” category of the 1st Hellenic Responsible Business Awards.

The HPO was awarded for best business practices, innovation initiatives, excellence in innovative models of private-public cooperation and commitment to sustainable goals.