Cruising has emerged as one of the most dynamic sectors in Greek tourism, making a major contribution to the national economy and supporting local communities. In 2023 alone, the industry generated 2 billion euros for Greece, contributing 973 million euros to GDP and creating 22,600 jobs, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The same report estimates that in 2024, more than 1.8 million cruise passengers visited Greece, making a total of eight million port calls across 48 Greek destinations. Yet over 55% of this traffic was concentrated in just three hotspots — Piraeus, Santorini, and Mykonos. This imbalance underscores the need for a long-term strategy to expand and diversify the country’s cruise offerings.
A Proposal for a National Cruise Development Plan
To address these challenges, CLIA has proposed that the Greek government adopt a National Cruise Development Plan. The plan would include a clear investment roadmap and mechanisms to support the emergence of new destinations. It envisions joint design by the state and the cruise industry, with potential funding drawn from cruise-related fees. These revenues could be reinvested in port infrastructure, destination upgrades, and promotional initiatives.
The proposal was unveiled at the opening of the “The Voyage” exhibition on Wednesday, Oct. 22. As CLIA’s representative in Greece, Maria Deligianni, explained, “This approach would help distribute the benefits of cruising more widely across the country, fostering balanced and sustainable growth for the sector.”
She emphasized that the initiative’s guiding principle is “collaboration.” “All members of our community — destinations, ports, travel agents, suppliers, shipping agents, shipyards, and service providers — are working closely together under the guidance of national authorities. Together, we are charting a sustainable future for cruising in Greece,” she said.
