Marine Tourism Big Boost to Greece’s GDP, INSETE Finds

Marine tourism, which includes yachting & boating, cruise travel and coastal shipping, accounts for a considerable part of Greece’s GDP and employment, the Greek Tourism Confederation’s (SETE)  research institute INSETE found in study released this week.

According to INSETE research, Greece’s marine tourism sector contributes directly 2.3 billion euros to the country’s GDP, which accounts for 1.3 percent in total, employing at the same time more than 22,500 people.

INSETE analysts go on to note that when taking into account the indirect impact, the sector strengthens the Greek GDP by 5-6 billion euros accounting for 2.9-3.5 percent in total.

Citing International Council of Marine Industry Associations – ICOMIA data for Greece, INSETE said yachting activity is valued at 800 million euros. There are currently, according to the report, 170,052 vessels in Greece: including 125,137 plastic/outboard motor boats, 21,400 inflatable boats, 4,060 sail boats, and 13,445 inboard motor boats.

Marinas

In terms of marinas, Greece has 22 organized marina facilities with a total capacity of 8,924 berths. It is estimated that there are a total of 13,500 berths, at marinas, harbors and boat shelters.

Cruise

Citing Hellenic Port Authority data, a total of 3,415 cruise ships visited Greek ports in 2017, accounting for 4.62 million passenger arrivals. The industry’s direct contribution to the economy came to 600 million euros.

Coastal shipping

Coastal shipping meanwhile, handled 17.4 million passengers in 2016 on domestic short-haul routes and 1.52 million passengers on international routes. The industry’s estimated contribution to GDP came to 900 million euros, accounting for 6,000 jobs, in the meantime.

The study was released ahead of the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference to be held in Greece, for the first time at Athens’ Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) on October 25-27.