Greek Tourism Minister Says Cruise Development Action Plan in the Making

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis announced this week that an action plan for the development of cruise tourism was currently being drawn up.

Speaking at an Association of Cruise Ship Owners and Maritime Agencies (EEKFN) event in Athens, this week, Theoharis referred to the importance of tapping into cruise and yachting tourism, which can both contribute greatly to the Greek economy.

Indicatively, the segment generated 500 million euros in direct revenues in 2019, with promise for further growth in 2020 through homeporting.

Once homeporting is established, Greek authorities expect Piraeus to handle 297 departures, Corfu 51 and Iraklio (Crete) 14. In full capacity this would mean 996,114 cruise passengers through Piraeus, 198,098 from Corfu, and 63,088 via Iraklio.

“Cruise and yachting are among the most important segments of Greek tourism and we place great emphasis on their development,” said Theoharis.

“That is why, the tourism ministry, in cooperation with relevant ministries, is preparing a strategic action plan which will provide the necessary tools and help further develop this important segment,” he said.

Concluding, Theoharis stressed the need to improve performance and figures with regard to transit calls, homeporting, revenue, and connection to local entrepreneurship in order to enable Greek destinations to contribute even more to the national and local economy and to overall development.