Cruise Shipowners Table Urgent Issues Ahead of Next Tourism Season

Greece’s Union of Cruise Shipowners and Associated Members (EEKFN) will discuss the inclusion of new destinations on itineraries and the return of Greek-owned cruise ships to the national register with the National Coordinating Committee for Cruise Affairs, according to media reports.

EEKFN will inform the committee on issues affecting cruise companies operating out of Greek ports as well as tour operators during next month’s meeting with the aim to plan ahead for the next tourism season.

According to EEKFN, the sector is facing challenges that need immediate and coordinated action including strengthening Greece as a competitive cruise destination and establishing an operational framework as well as securing credit and executing sector-related projects.

Cruise insiders have repeatedly called for action in view of a 20 percent decline in the number of arrivals for 2017, expected to continue into 2018.

Created last year, the National Coordinating Committee for Cruise Affairs has 28 members including representatives from the shipping and island policy, tourism and interior ministries, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) and the Union of Cruise Shipowners and Associated Members (EEKFN). The committee is scheduled to meet four times a year.