CLIA Presents Cruise Industry’s 5-year Action Plan for Greece

CLIA’s representatives at the Greek Tourism Ministry. Pictured form left to right: Myron Flouris, Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development; Chris Theofilides, CEO, Celestyal Cruises; Elena Rapti, Deputy Minister of Tourism; Marie Caroline Laurent, Director General, CLIA Europe; Andreas Stylianopoulos, CEO, Navigator; Maria Deligianni, National Director, Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA; and Kerry Anastassiadis, Strategic Advisor, MSC Cruises. Photo source: CLIA

Representatives of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) recently presented a proposed five-year action plan for Greece to members of the country’s government and key stakeholders.

Meeting the Greek ministers for the first time after the elections in June, CLIA’s representatives discussed how to maximise the benefits to Greece from cruising and help to unlock its potential for sustainable growth as a cruise hub.

According to data by CLIA, Greece is seeing great growth in cruising the last years, bringing significant benefits to its economy, generating more than 1,1 billion euros annually and supporting thousands of jobs.

“We welcome this development and, with great respect for the communities that support the cruise sector, we cooperate on itineraries, port operations, and improved destination management practices, to provide sustainable, optimal experiences for communities and visitors,” said Maria Deligianni, CLIA’s National Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

CLIA’s action plan for Greece

Development of homeporting activities, the opening of new destinations, and the need for port infrastructure to meet the requirements of the EU Fit For 55 legislation, as well as the potential for cruise shipbuilding in Greece, the extension of the cruise season, and opportunities for seafarers were all on the agenda.

“The goal of our proposed action plan is to maximise the benefits to Greece from cruising and help to unlock its potential for sustainable growth,” CLIA’s Director General in Europe, Marie Caroline Laurent, said.

CLIA’s proposed action plan for Greece is based on five pillars:

1. Extend the tourist season and promote new destinations locally, as well as regionally by encouraging partnerships among Eastern Mediterranean countries.
2. Create the right port infrastructure and operating environment including:
– the development of a berth allocation system and policy locally for the careful planning of cruise ship arrivals & departures,
– the development of port infrastructure and berths for homeport activities and for better itinerary planning,
– the infrastructure to accommodate the application of the new EU border rules, which will be implemented by Autumn of 2024,
– the development of shipbuilding and repair activities for cruise ships in Greece.
3. Develop sustainable tourism practices, including the need for destination management plans for the popular destinations that will offer a holistic approach to tourism management locally.
4. Introduce onshore power solutions to match environmental technologies deployed onboard and support the production and supply of sustainable marine fuels, in which we believe Greece can play a major role as a maritime nation.
5. Inform and raise awareness between Greeks on employment opportunities in shipping and cruise industry specifically, as well as build the skills of the next generation of seafarers.

Laurent and Deligianni discussed the action plan with the Greek ministers of Maritime Affairs and Culture, and the Greek deputy minister of Tourism.

According to CLIA’s Director General in Europe, the association’s plan was well received by the ministers.

“We are pleased that our vision is consistent with the government’s priorities,” Laurent said.

In talks with the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Christos Stylianides, the need for port infrastructure and investments for development of homeporting activities and the opening of new destinations was confirmed. Discussions also focused on the need of port infrastructure to meet the requirements of the EU Fit For 55 legislation, and production and supply of sustainable marine fuels at key ports in Greece.

CLIA’s representatives at the Greek Maritime Affairs Ministry. Pictured from left to right: Maria Deligianni, National Director, Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA; Christos Stylianides, Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy; Marie Caroline Laurent, Director General, CLIA Europe; Kerry Anastassiadis, Strategic Advisor, MSC Cruises; and Chris Theofilides, CEO, Celestyal Cruises. Photo source: CLIA

In their meeting with the Deputy Minister of Tourism Elena Rapti, CLIA’s representatives stressed the need for a holistic approach to destination management to manage tourism flows. Discussions also covered the need to encourage partnerships among Eastern Mediterranean countries, highlighting the uniqueness of the region which brings together three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Moreover, CLIA’s meeting with the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni confirmed that concrete steps are being taken to develop new archaeological sites to highlight the country’s unique cultural history, as well as to improve conditions at existing sites, including the Acropolis in Athens.

CLIA’s representatives at the Greek Culture Ministry. Pictured from left to right: Maria Deligianni, National Director, Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA; Kerry Anastassiadis, Strategic Advisor, MSC Cruises; Nikoleta Divari-Valakou, President, Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development; Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture; Marie Caroline Laurent, Director General, CLIA Europe; and Giorgos Didaskalou, General Secretary of Culture. Photo source: CLIA

While in Athens, CLIA’s delegation also met Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Vassilis Korkidis, Hellenic Ship Suppliers and Exporters Association President Nikolaos Mavrikos, Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) Director General Katerina Peppa, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) General Manager Maria Gatsou, and HELMEPA Director General Olga Stavropoulou.

CLIA is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice for the industry as the leading authority of the global cruise community, with a membership comprising 55 cruise lines, including 294 ocean going cruise ships, representing 95 percent of the cruise sector.