Key Tourism Figures 2019: Theodore Kontes, President, Union of Cruise Ship Owners & Association Members

In order to attract more ships to homeport, it is imperative to improve infrastructure in harbors, as well as in archaeological sites, etc.

Greece has a great future in sea tourism, including the cruising and yachting industries.

Cruising is improving continuously and more cruise vessels of various sizes are coming to various Greek destinations each year, this way contributing to the extension of the season. The aim is to operate all year round at a later stage.

“Short cruising” and “cruise & stay” programs are gaining popularity since they are considered better value for money options and also include a variety of interesting destinations with a chosen stay, offering a longer vacation on land.

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Theodore Kontes, President Union of Cruise Ship Owners & Association Members

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…A great number of guests who have been on a cruise in Greece before, usually return to the destinations they visited for a longer stay on land…

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Piraeus remains Greece’s main port destination for homeporting by several cruise lines. And while Santorini, Mykonos, Katakolo, Rhodes, Corfu and Heraklion are among the main cruise destinations, a growing number of tour operators and cruise lines are requesting new destinations in the Aegean, Cyclades and Ionian.

This year we are expecting an improvement in cruise arrivals of about 10 percent, with an estimated 3,786 calls and 5.3 million guests in all Greek destinations.

In order to improve services further and attract more ships to homeport, it is imperative to improve infrastructure in harbors, as well as in archaeological sites, etc.

Furthermore, a proper nautical and tourism policy should be applied in all tourist ports, while each harbor and city must have all necessary facilities available and consider their guest capacity in order to serve properly.

I must add that our records suggest that a great number of guests (25 percent) who have been on a cruise in Greece before, usually return to the destinations they visited for a longer stay on land.

This is free advertising for Greece and its various destinations, with great economic benefits for local markets and the country in general.