Study Sees Thessaloniki’s Annual Cruise Tourism Revenue Reaching €10.8m

A cruise ship in Thessaloniki. Photo source: Posidonia Exhibitions

Cruise tourism in Thessaloniki is estimated to generate 10.8 million euros in annual revenue, according to the preliminary results of a study presented to the delegates of the 7th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF) on Wednesday.

Conducted by Thanos Pallis, Professor in the Department of Maritime Studies of the University of Piraeus, the study includes the results of research that began in November 2022 to investigate the economic impact of the cruise activity both in the city of Thessaloniki, but also in the wider metropolitan area of the city.

Titled “Assessment of the Socio-Economic Impact of the Cruise for Thessaloniki”, the study’s final results are expected to be released in October.

Piraeus University Professor Thanos Pallis presenting the “Assessment of the Socio-Economic Impact of the Cruise for Thessaloniki” during the 7th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF).

It is noted that cruise activity in Thessaloniki began to show an upward trend since last year with the city increasingly being included in itineraries.

Based on actual figures so far gathered between November 2022 and April 2023 the spending per cruise passenger in the city of Thessaloniki stands at 54.5 euros. Additionally, each passenger spends 15.1 euros during organized excursions that cost around 98.8 euros.

To these expenditures, one should add the significant spending of the crews, which amount to 105.4 euros per crew member.

Source: “Assessment of the Socio-Economic Impact of the Cruise for Thessaloniki” study.

“These expenditures traditionally increase during the spring and summer months when the weather conditions favor the longer stay of passengers in the city or the increase of those who choose excursions in the wider region,” Professor Pallis informed the PSTF 2023 delegates.

Taking into account the income of the shipping agents and the port fees from the winter cruises of the November-April period:

• the direct positive effects from ‘winter’ cruises (November-April) for Thessaloniki and the region amount to 798,000 euros
• the indirect positive effects from the ‘winter’ cruises (November-April) amount to 533,000 euros
• the total positive effects from the ‘winter’ cruises (November-April) amount to 1.33 million euros.

University of Piraeus Professor Thanos Pallis

Professor Pallis also presented the estimates for the effects of cruises in Thessaloniki on an annual basis, based on alternative scenarios.

According to the data:

• the direct positive effects range between 5.23 million euros (base scenario) and 6.49 million euros (positive scenario)
• the indirect positive effects range between 3.43 million euros (base scenario) and 4.33 million euros (positive scenario)
• the total positive effects range between 8.56 million euros (base scenario) and 10.82 million euros (positive scenario).

Source: “Assessment of the Socio-Economic Impact of the Cruise for Thessaloniki” study.

Regarding employment, with the expected number of cruise ship calls at the port of Thessaloniki this season at 68, the study estimates to result in cruise tourism sustaining 111 full-time jobs annually.

Among the most important findings of the research are the satisfaction levels of cruise passengers who visit Thessaloniki.

“As reflected in the study, 90.1 percent of visiting passengers stated that it is extremely to quite likely to recommend Thessaloniki as a tourist destination,” Professor Pallis said.

The study, which aims to contribute to a better understanding of the benefits of cruising for the local community of Thessaloniki, is commissioned by the Thessaloniki Port Authority (ThPA S.A.) and the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization.

Over 400 delegates from the global cruise industry gathered during April 25-26 at the Makedonia Palace hotel in Thessaloniki for the 7th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum. Organized by Posidonia Exhibitions S.A., the event was held in Greece’s second biggest city for the first time since its inception.

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