Thessaloniki Set to Welcome Cruise Ships from March 2022

Thessaloniki, northern Greece. Photo Source: @Thessaloniki Travel

Thessaloniki is aiming to kick off the cruise season on March 6 with 60 percent of all itineraries to home port in the northern city, said Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias on Thursday.

Among the first countries to restart cruise travel in 2021, Greece has prioritized increasing cruise and homeporting activity in the years to come. 

“This means that Thessaloniki port will be the starting and ending point of a cruise offering the possibility of boarding and/or disembarkation, something that will stimulate the local economy, have a significant effect on the hotel industry, but also on trade etc, generating income for the city and its residents,” said Kikilias.

“Combined with the new Thessaloniki airport, cruises will strengthen tourism to the city and enhance the dynamic in Macedonia and Northern Greece, while offering an experience that will include all forms of tourism,” he added.

The minister said Greece was working on developing cruise travel in a sustainable manner. He cited data released this week by the  Thessaloniki Port Authority, according to which the number of confirmed cruise ship arrivals to Thessaloniki for 2022 have nearly tripled – from 17 in 2021 to at least 49 next year – marking a 189 percent increase. He added that 10 cruise companies and 12 cruise ships will be active in Greece with plans for 2022 and 2023.