As the 8th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF) prepares to welcome the global cruise community to Heraklion, Crete, in May, attention turns to the Eastern Mediterranean – a region that is facing serious challenges for the further development of the sector. Among the most critical issues are overtourism and the pressure on the environment and infrastructure of destinations, shortages in port facilities, as well as geopolitical uncertainties that intensify risk and uncertainty for the future.
Under the theme “Mediterranean: The Urgent Need for New Popular Ports and Destinations”, this year’s Forum will bring together key stakeholders, executives, industry leaders, and policymakers to seek solutions to these pressing issues. Discussions will focus on solutions and strategies to overcome these challenges and unlock new opportunities for sustainable and resilient growth.
“The wider Eastern Mediterranean is facing complex dynamics,” said George Koumbenas, President of the Cruise Ship Owners & Shipping Association, adding: “The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the escalating security risks in the Red Sea have significantly reduced the cruise industry’s footprint across the region, reminiscent of conditions last seen after the Arab Spring. Key markets, such as Israel, Egypt, Cyprus and parts of Southern Turkey, are experiencing a notable downturn.”
Despite these pressures, Greece has shown resilience, with strong evidence of recovery after the pandemic and promising forecasts.
According to data from the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIM), Greece recorded 5,490 cruise ship visits in 2024, representing a total of 7,927,709 passenger visits – an increase of 260 cruise ship visits and 924,559 passenger visits, respectively, compared to the previous year. Homeporting activity continues to grow, with Piraeus serving as the departure point for 635 cruises with 1.1 million passengers, followed by Corfu, Heraklion, Lavrio, and Thessaloniki.
However, challenges to further growth remain. Although the region has recovered quickly after the pandemic, Turkey has not returned to its pre-COVID levels as a popular cruise destination. The unexpected, for now, resumption of Black Sea routes, combined with Turkey’s slower recovery, have also significantly reduced routes to Greek ports in the North and East Aegean.
The rapidly changing dynamics and different growth rates between destinations in the same region make itineraries planning increasingly complex. One of the central themes of the PSTF will be the trend of cruise lines launching larger ships in the Eastern Mediterranean in order to meet growing demand. While these ships offer economies of scale and greater capacity, they also put significant pressure on ports and tourism infrastructure — especially when many ships call at the same time. Many popular destinations, such as Santorini, already apply daily passenger limits or levy special fees, while several other ports are considering similar measures.
Without coordinated action, the existing infrastructure constraints could hinder further growth of the industry. “A comprehensive growth strategy is now essential,” said Athanasios Liagos, President of E.L.I.M.E. “Investments should be directed both at the expansion and modernization of Greek ports, as well as at smaller emerging destinations, but also at the preservation of the cultural and environmental heritage that primarily makes these destinations attractive.”
At the Forum, the industry will call for enhanced cooperation between governments and the industry to identify specific destinations for sustainable expansion. Larger ships are expected to continue to dominate the industry, making it vital to identify ports with the capacity – but also the means and ambition – to upgrade their facilities without compromising their authenticity.
“As a company, we see huge potential in the Eastern Mediterranean, beyond the traditional popular destinations,” commented Manolis Alevropoulos, Vice President of Marine Operations, Celebrity Cruises – Royal Caribbean Group. “With the right infrastructure and destination management, many ports that are currently underutilized could emerge as iconic destinations, offering huge added value for both travelers and local economies.”
It is a fact that across the region there are several destinations, both mainland and island, with significant potential to upgrade their infrastructure to support larger ships and offer great travel experiences, which however remain dormant and untapped. Any future growth strategy should take into account the prospects of these destinations.
PSTF 2025 is supported by the Heraklion Port Authority as Diamond Sponsor, the Region of Crete and the Cultural Resources Management and Development Organization (ODAP) as Gold Sponsors, the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) and the Piraeus Port Authority as Silver Sponsors, Celestyal and Kyvernitis Travel Group as Bronze Sponsors, the Thessaloniki Port Authority and Minoan Lines as Sponsors and Heraklion International Airport and Creta Interclinic as Supporters. The official airline is SKY express. The Forum is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Shipping & Insular Policy, the Ministry of Tourism and the Municipality of Heraklion and is supported by the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the Mediterranean Cruise Ports Association (MedCruise), the Cruise Ship Owners & Shipping Operators Association and the Panhellenic Association of Ship Suppliers and Exporters.
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