Greece is steadily cementing its status as one of the world’s leading yachting destinations, with bookings rising by 5% this year compared to 2025, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions across the Eastern Mediterranean. The continued growth of the sector underscores the resilience and international appeal of Greek maritime tourism, which remains a cornerstone of the country’s luxury travel industry.

This upward trajectory was clearly reflected in the strong participation at the 11th Mediterranean Yacht Show (MEDYS), the world’s largest exhibition of professional crewed yachts, held from May 2 to May 6, 2026, in the port of Nafplio. The event once again placed Greece at the center of the global luxury yachting market, attracting key players from the international chartering industry and showcasing the expanding strength of the Greek fleet.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Hellenic Yacht Association President Ioannis Kourounis highlighted the steady development of the sector, noting both the increase in the number of participating vessels and the continuous upgrade of services offered by Greek operators. Interest in this year’s exhibition proved exceptionally strong, with available berths selling out almost immediately after registrations opened. Within just a few days, 130 yachts had expressed interest in participating.

In total, MEDYS 2026 hosted 106 yachts with a combined length of nearly four kilometers, while 902 industry professionals from 32 countries attended the exhibition, reaffirming the strategic importance of Greek yachting within the global market. In parallel, 39 exhibitors across 56 stands presented products and services linked to marine hospitality and luxury chartering.

Alongside the exhibition, a dedicated conference on Marine Parks and Anchoring was held under the auspices of the Ministries of Environment and Energy, Shipping, and Tourism. Discussions focused on the need to establish a practical regulatory framework capable of protecting the marine environment while safeguarding the competitiveness of the Greek yachting industry — a balance increasingly seen as essential for the sector’s long-term sustainability and international growth.