Posidonia Forum to Unveil Benefits of Cruise Tourism for Thessaloniki

Port of Thessaloniki. Photo source: Posidonia Exhibitions SA

The benefits of cruising for the local community of Thessaloniki will be unveiled at the upcoming Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum 2023.

Scheduled to be held in Thessaloniki for the first time, the PSTF 2023 will run April 25-26 and focus on “The Return to Growth: Challenges ahead for Cruise Lines and Destinations”.

According to organizer Posidonia Exhibitions SA, the forum promises to be a hub for discussions about the future of the cruise industry and its continued positive impact on the economy.

Moreover, the PSTF 2023 will also be the platform for the first presentation of a study that will reveal the socio-economic impact of cruising on the host Greek northern city.

Carried out by the Thessaloniki Port Authority and the Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation, the study will measure the actual economic impact of cruising for the local community.

“We are financing this study together with the Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation to better understand how the cruise industry benefits our city and how we can further enhance both passenger experience during their stay and the benefits for the local, regional and national economy,” said Theodora Riga, Chief Commercial Officer & Director of Strategic Communications of the Thessaloniki Port Authority.

Participants at the PSTF 2023 will be informed on the actual passengers’ and crew spending levels, their preferred spending patterns, the levels of satisfaction from their visit, as well as the potential of their return to the city.

Theodora Riga, Manager of Strategic Planning & Marketing Department, PPA.

“Once we better understand passenger expectations as a destination, we will be better able to provide cruise passengers a unique experience,” Riga said.

Spending patterns

According to data, cruise passengers in Thessaloniki direct their spending towards shopping (44 percent), restaurants & cafeterias (40 percent), sightseeing (12 percent) and food stores (3 percent). Crew members on the other hand direct their spending towards shopping (55 percent), restaurants & cafeterias (16 percent), transportation (14 percent) and food stores (10 percent).

“This will serve as our stepping stone to attract more cruise lines to Thessaloniki in the coming years,” Riga concluded.

The 7th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum will feature a high-profile line-up of speakers that will focus on a number of key issues.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a media sponsor for the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum.