The problem of the cruise sector in Greece is not institutional but it is a result of problems in infrastructure and lack of cooperation, according to a survey carried out by non-profit think-tank diaNEOsis.
Greek tourism performs well but the cruise sector underperforms, the survey noted adding that Greece ranks 8th in terms of revenues although it is the fourth most popular destination in Europe.
The development of home porting, ie the starting ports from which the cruise ships commence and end, is the key for Greece to claim additional revenues from this market.
Greece accounts for about 11% in cruise ship approaches in the Mediterranean, but only for 8% in the number of passengers and 6% in the number of home portings, since only the ports of Piraeus, Corfu, Rhodes, Heraklion, Lavrio and Thessaloniki have served or continue to operate as home ports out of 42
The report also stresses that most Greek ports are unable to cater to the needs of larger vessels, which translates into more passengers and that despite being the fourth most popular destination in Europe, Greece is ranked eighth in terms of cruise travel-related earnings, accounting for 10 percent of all incoming tourists and only 3 percent of total revenue.
Furthermore, it underlines the need to improve the traveler port and stopover experience, develop collaborations with municipal and local authorities as well as with airports, and improve the conditions for investments in the sector.
DiaNEOsis suggests that efforts should initially focus on the ports of Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Iraklion on Crete, which meet the basic home porting requirements and have great potential for immediate improvement.
According to relevant data, the Mediterranean Sea is the second largest market after the Caribbean servicing over 7.5 millions passengers per year while more than 2 million travelers on 4,300 cruises go through 42 Greek ports annually leaving behind revenue of approximately 489 million euros in 2015.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Norbert Nagel License: CC-BY-SA
