The Deputy Vice President of Government Affairs of the Royal Caribbean Group, Mr. Alessandro Carollo, expressed his satisfaction with the smooth transition to the new cruise fee regime in Greece, at the meeting he had with the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, and the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogiannis.
The focus of the discussion was the cost-effectiveness of the fee, as the revenues are directed to strengthening infrastructure, local communities and tourism. Particular reference was made to the need to develop homeporting infrastructure in Piraeus, which, according to Mr. Carollo, will contribute to the expansion of cruising beyond the high season, to the increase in the number of visitors to new destinations and to the creation of new categories of visitors. At the same time, the integration of lesser-known Greek destinations into cruise programs was put on the table.
Kikilias: “Cruising is a power multiplier for the economy”
The Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy described cruising as one of the most dynamically developing sectors of the Greek economy, underlining that the goal is to upgrade port infrastructure so that it meets modern needs. “Greece has all the conditions to become a leading cruise hub in the Mediterranean”, he stressed.
As she explained, the cruise fee is distributed evenly: one third to local communities, one third to the Ministry of Shipping for port infrastructure projects and the rest to the Ministry of Tourism. “This way, truly remunerative development is ensured,” she said characteristically.
Kefalogiannis: “The green transition at the epicenter”
For her part, the Minister of Tourism underlined that the sustainable management of cruises is a crucial factor for the resilience of Greek tourism and the visitor experience. She expressed the intention to further extend the tourist season, develop themed experiences and attract smaller ships with high-end passengers.
Ms. Kefalogianni also highlighted the importance of synergies between government, local authorities and cruise companies, while referring to the establishment, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization, of the Observatory for Coastal and Marine Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean, which will monitor and measure sustainable development indicators.
