- Interview of the president of the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce, Vangelis Karkanakis, with Kostis Chalkiadakis
Heraklion is enriching its tourism portfolio with the Diving Park in Stalis, which will officially open in 2026 and aspires to make Crete a top diving destination at a national and international level. It is the first licensed diving park in the country, the result of a difficult but persistent struggle of almost ten years, with the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce and the Heraklion Development Authority leading the project to its final implementation, going through the labyrinthine process of five different ministries.
As reported to Tornos News by the president of the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce, Vangelis Karkanakis, the project is essentially ready as of today, however its official operation is scheduled for 2026 in order to complete all the necessary scientific and technical procedures. Forty artificial reefs have already been placed in a sea area of ??22.5 acres, with the approval and supervision of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, which are expected to attract marine life and enhance biodiversity.
The proximity to the Aquarium of Crete further enhances the attractiveness of the project, creating a single destination for sea, education and action that differentiates and enriches the island’s tourism product.
The project was implemented with funding from the Leader Fisheries and Sea 2014–2020 program and will be managed by the company Diving Parks SA in which the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce also participates. It has already been embraced by the tourism community, as it is considered a model success story that will create new jobs, bring significant income to the local community and attract high-level visitors looking for authentic experiences while respecting the marine environment.
Stalis, however, is only the beginning. New projects have already been launched with the aim of creating diving parks in the Municipalities of Phaistos and Malevizi, expanding the model and creating a comprehensive network of diving experiences in Crete. This development is part of a strategy that wants the island to establish itself as a center of diving tourism in the eastern Mediterranean.
New record of arrivals and revenues in Heraklion
At the same time, Vangelis Karkanakis points out that Heraklion is on track to set a new record of tourist arrivals and revenues. Despite any discussions about lower average spending, the overall picture is positive, while for another year there is a clear trend towards lengthening the season with many hotel units maintaining their operation until mid-November.
The added value of the diving park has also been recognized at European level. The European Commission has already included it in the Success Stories demonstration projects of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, proving it as one of the most characteristic examples of the connection between tourism and sustainability. This distinction comes to confirm that Crete, through synergies and innovative initiatives, can shape its own comparative advantage on the global map of tourism and sustainable development.
