The year 2024 was a new milestone year for cruises in our country, surpassing even the previous historic high of 2023 in total visitor arrivals at the 48 Greek port destinations that received cruise ships.
Specifically, according to data from the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), total ship arrivals amounted to 5,490 and the number of visitors to 7,927,709, recording an additional 260 ship arrivals and 924,559 additional visitors compared to 2023.
Respectively, on a percentage basis, in 2024 compared to 2023 we had a 5% increase in cruise ship arrivals and a 13.2% increase in the number of passengers.
It is worth noting that the previous historical record for arrivals was recorded in 2023 with 5,230 cruise ship arrivals and 7,003,150 passengers.
The difference in percentage changes between ships and passengers for the years 2024, 2023 shows that our country remains a strongly attractive destination for the cruise market, which thanks to the efforts of companies, ports, Ministries, the cooperation of local communities and the entire market, is experiencing significant growth, which, as the pre-bookings show, will continue for the next year.
Piraeus, with approximately 1,730,000 passengers, is the leader for another year, followed by Santorini with 1,345,837, Mykonos with 1,293,051 and then Corfu, Heraklion, Rhodes, and Katakolo.
Regarding ship calls, Piraeus is in first place with 810 calls, followed by Mykonos with 768, Santorini with 750, and then Corfu, Rhodes, Heraklion, and Patmos.
Most ports showed significant passenger increases compared to 2023, with Piraeus leading the ranking in absolute numbers with 230,000 (+15.33%), followed by Mykonos with 100,229 (+8.40%), Chania with 62,202 (+29%), Santorini with 46,869 (+4%) and Katakolo with 10,168 (+5%).
Greek ports for homeporting
Another important element for the past year for the cruise market is the choice of Greek ports for homeporting. As expected, the port of Piraeus leads in homeporting with 635 arrivals and 1,110,000 passengers who started and ended their journey from Piraeus. This is followed by the port of Corfu with 54 arrivals and 196,057 passengers, Heraklion with 36 arrivals and 135,559 passengers, Lavrio with 102 arrivals and 132,135 passengers, and Thessaloniki with 30 arrivals and 18,285 passengers.
As evidenced by the aforementioned and by the presentations of authoritative studies regarding cruising in our country for 2024, cruising is a major driver of growth for both local communities and the national economy. The significant increase in homeporting and the further development of infrastructure will further enhance these prospects and the benefits at both the national and local levels will certainly multiply.
For 2025, despite the historical records of previous years, a significant increase in ship and passenger arrivals is expected, which, as the data to date show, will exceed 10%.
The Hellenic Ports Association, responding to its role and in collaboration with its members, stakeholders, the State and local communities, stands as a supporter in every effort to strengthen and develop the cruise market and the port industry in general, with the aim of supporting businesses and the national economy.
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