With the aim of placing it on the winter cruise map and highlighting it as an authentic, unexplored and sustainable destination, Chios actively participated in the 8th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, which took place in Heraklion, Crete, bringing together decision makers, companies, tourism organizations and global shipping stakeholders.
The proposal for a trial inclusion of Chios in winter cruise itineraries was a key axis of contacts between the Municipality of Chios and the Inter-Municipal Port Fund, highlighting the island as an ideal choice for extending the tourist season and decongesting traditional summer destinations.
Among the main results of Chios’ presence at the forum are the following:
- Proposal for Chios’ inclusion in winter cruise programs, reinforcing the strategy of extending the tourist season.
- Targeted contacts with tour operators and cruise offices from Naples, with the aim of creating new sea routes.
- Interconnection with previous B2B actions and strengthening the extroversion of the destination.
- Initiatives to upgrade port infrastructure, so that the island can meet the modern demands of cruising.
- Strengthening the presence of the Municipality in specialized exhibitions, with the next stop being the exhibition in Hamburg in September.
- Need to develop specialized printed and digital material for the cruise market, something that has already been put into planning.
This participation, as emphasized by Chios authorities, is part of an overall strategic plan for positioning it as an alternative, quality, and sustainable destination in the international cruise industry, at a time when the global market is looking for authentic experiences away from traditional options, as they argued.
Moreover, as stated by Dr. Michalis Tsatsaronis, from the island’s port fund, “Chios has the advantage of authenticity, geographical location, and cultural identity. Its inclusion in winter cruise itineraries is a mature and realistic proposal that meets the needs of the modern tourist market.”
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