Sea Tourism

Making Greece an international cruise hub for the eastern Mediterranean would bring five million tourists in a few years and tremendous financial returns were the main conclusion drawn from the forum organized by the Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies (HATTA) on world tourism day.

Bid proposals for Minoan Lines’ 33.3 percent share in Hellenic Seaways (HSW) were the buzz on the coastal shipping market last month. Proposals have been submitted by ship-owner Panos Laskaridis (Laskaridis Group) who already controls 17 percent of HSW, Apostolos Ventouris of Nel Lines, and Anek Lines. At press time, Minoan was still in the process of reviewing the offers. So far the highest offer has been made by Nel Lines at 3.5 euro per share for the 25 million shares up for sale. Anek Lines officially announced that it is prepared to pay 3.2 euro per share, while the Laskaridis Group has offered 2.95 euro per share.

Last month, Celebrity Cruises’ Millennium stopped into the port of Piraeus while on a cruise of the Mediterranean. This ship, inaugurated in 2000, has a capacity for 1,950 guests.

Hellenic Seaways, a leading coastal ferry operator in Greece, has designed special programs for its passengers. The company’s fleet of 34 ferries serves the northeastern Aegean, Cyclades, Crete, Argosaronikos and Sporades, and also provides freight service to Venice, Italy.

The Olympic Flame for the European Special Olympics begin held in Italy until the 6th of the month, sailed from Patras aboard Blue Star’s ferryboat Blue Horizon.

Ferry ticket prices are likely to increase by at least eight percent shortly due to a European Union directive that requires companies to switch to a more environmentally friendly fuel, according to press reports.

Last month the new pedestrian bridge in Piraeus was inaugurated. The new bridge spans the busy road and connects passengers emerging from the train station in Piraeus with the ferry boats in the harbor.

Cruises are a serious vacation alternative for younger people, said Andreas Stylianopoulos, general manager of Navigator Travel, at a recent press conference aboard Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas.

Last month, Blue Star Ferries, part of Attica Group, acquired all of Dane Sea Line’s assets at a bankruptcy auction held on Rodos island. Dane, placed in bankruptcy at the request of Anek Lines, had assets that included three ferries, Diagoras, Patmos and Rodos, and real estate in Rodos town.

In celebration of its new 110,000-ton ship, Carnival Freedom, next summer Carnival Cruise Lines will offer new itineraries that feature the Greek islands and other Mediterranean destinations.