Sea, Cruise Tourism Stakeholders Invited to Bet on Greece

Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura invited stakeholders in sea and cruise tourism to place their bets on Greece, during the 4th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum titled ”Reinventing Cruising in the East Mediterranean’’ held this week at the Megaron – Athens International Conference Center.

Addressing Posidonia delegates, Kountoura underlined on Wednesday, the vast potential of sea and cruise tourism referring to the wide range of opportunities available in the areas of yachting and cruise travel.

“At this point in time, there is strong aspiration to strengthen Greece’s strategic role in the development of sea tourism and in particular of the cruise sector for the wider Mediterranean and European region,” Kountoura said.

Besides the country’s competitive advantages, the minister also noted that for the first time there is a single national development strategy covering cruise and yachting, referring to the newly set up Cruise Affairs Coordinating Committee which is currently preparing its own action plan.

The minister reiterated the importance of tapping into the great potential of home porting, integrating new Greek destinations into cruise itineraries, bringing together cruise, culture and gastronomy, entering strategic partnerships with international decision makers, as well as supporting marina and port projects that will facilitate incoming yachts and cruise travel.

Posidonia is organized under the auspices of the Tourism and the Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy ministries with the support of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports, the Hellenic Port Association (ELIME), the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association, the Greek Marinas Association, the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies, the Union of Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members and the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA).

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP)  is a media sponsor of the 4th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum.