The Pierian Tourism Development and Promotion Organization (P.O.T.A.P.) is taking targeted steps to include Pieria on the cruise map, recognizing the strategic importance of this specific tourism sector for the diversification and upgrading of the region’s tourism product.
Starting from the ports of Thessaloniki and Volos, where major cruise companies already operate, P.O.T.A.P. seeks to transform Pieria into a key day trip destination, offering visitors unique experiences that combine natural beauty, cultural heritage, and local gastronomy.
At the heart of MSC’s sales
This dynamic approach has already yielded the first tangible results. In the context of the presentation of this year’s MSC Cruises cruise ship arrivals program at the port of Thessaloniki, it was confirmed that Pieria is one of the recommended destinations in the Group’s available excursions, with proposals such as Paleos Panteleimonas and Litochoro gaining the interest of visitors.
Taking advantage of this momentum, P.O.T.A.P., through its representatives, made contacts with top executives of MSC Cruises, including Mr. Kyriakos Anastasiadis (Senior Advisor for Institutional and Maritime Affairs), Ms. Elisabetta De Nardo (Vice President of Global Relations and Commercial Port Services) and Mr. Elias Tsoukalas (General Manager of MSC Greece). The focus of the talks was the expansion of excursions to Pieria, with a positive result.
Specifically, it was agreed to include two more points of cultural and religious interest in the company’s available proposals: the Archaeological Park and the Museum of Dion, as well as religious tourism routes in the “steps of the Apostle Paul”, taking advantage of the long history and spiritual reserve of the region.
Fam trip targeting international markets
The current development is a continuation of a targeted strategy that began about a year ago, when P.O.T.A.P. organized a specialized fam trip (familiarization trip) for representatives of international cruise companies and tourist agencies. During their visit, the main pillars of Pieria’s tourist identity were presented, with an emphasis on the natural environment, cultural resources and local gastronomy, promoting the region as an ideal destination for day trips from neighboring ports.
This initiative contributed significantly to strengthening the image of Pieria in the international tourism landscape, confirming that the region has the comparative advantages to be included in organized cruise programs.
Prospects and goals
The participation of the Pierian Tourism Development and Promotion Organization in the presentation of MSC Cruises reflects the will for extroversion and a substantial claim to a role in the rapidly growing cruise sector. As emphasized by executives of the organization, the goal is to enhance visitor numbers, stimulate the local economy, and boost employment through the integration of Pieria in the experience packages offered to cruise ship passengers.
In addition to collaborations with international players, P.O.T.A.P. is also planning additional networking and promotion actions for the region, with an emphasis on forms of thematic tourism, such as cultural, religious, and gastronomic tourism, utilizing the rich tourist capital of Pieria.
With the appropriate collaborations and strategic alliances, Pieria is asserting its position as a stable and quality destination on the map of the Eastern Mediterranean, offering authentic experiences and new opportunities in the tourism sector.
