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2nd Posidonia Forum Sets Cruise Lines' Agenda

2nd Posidonia ForumOf the 36 billion euros plus revenue spread across European cruising destinations, Greece is the recipient of just 600 million euros due to its lagging home porting capabilities and infrastructure challenges as only nine of Greece’s 57 ports are capable of hosting cruise liners, heard the 300 delegates of the 2nd Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum being held in Athens from 28-29 May.
But this is likely to grow once recent legislation changes become fully effective and as soon as planned infrastructure improvements are implemented, according to the Greek Minister of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Aegean, Konstantinos Moussouroulis, who was speaking at the opening session of the two-day event during a panel debate about the growth prospects of the international cruising industry and its impact on the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions.
Representatives of the world’s two biggest cruise lines agreed that Greece is extremely popular as a destination for their companies but the country still needs to do more in order to realize it full potential.
”Last year, Carnival’s nine cruise line brands brought to Greece a total of 2.8 million international tourists mainly to Corfu, Katakolo, Pireaus, Santorini and Myconos, but we know that this number could be a lot higher,” said Giora Israel, Senior Vice President Port and Destination Development of Carnival Corporation, the world’s biggest cruise company. John Fox Vice President Government Relations US and Europe, Royal Caribbean Cruises, which brings more passengers to Greece than any other cruise operator, also agreed that the removal of cabotage was a step to the right direction and added that in order to fully reap the rewards of cruising, Greece has to also address a few more issues and market itself as part of a region wide ecosystem as opposed to following a more fragmented marketing strategy.
The 2nd Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum is organized under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the Greek Ministry of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Aegean, CLIA – Europe, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MEDCRUISE), the Hellenic Ports’ Association (ELIME), the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners’ Association, the Greek Marinas’ Association, the Union of Greek Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members, the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA) and the Hellenic Yacht Brokers’ Association.
(source: ANSA)

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