The biennial Posidonia Maritime Tourism Forum has established itself as one of the most influential events for the international cruise industry, thanks to the strategic role of the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions in terms of destination diversification, passenger demand and fleet deployment considerations.
This year's event, taking place on May 28 and 29 at the Domotel Kastri Conference Center north of Athens, will host more than 30 highly influential senior cruise executives responsible for ports and destinations for the world's largest cruise companies, including MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Holland America Group, Disney Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Celestyal Cruises among others.
Many of them will also participate in the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) European Ports and Destinations Advisory Committee meeting , which will take place at the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum for the first time, and will interact with representatives of destinations in the region at the trade fair and in many other networking opportunities during the event.
Elisabetta De Nardo, VP Port Development, MSC Cruises and Chair of CLIA's European Port & Destination Advisory Committee, said: “Greece continues to be a very important region for the international cruise industry. In recent years, following political instability in other areas of the Mediterranean, Greece has taken on an even more prominent role in Eastern Mediterranean itineraries. The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum is the leading event in this wonderful and strategic region of the Eastern Mediterranean. I look forward to discussing the challenges and opportunities we face with other stakeholders.”
Some of these opportunities include the imminent legislation that will launch the second phase of privatization of Greek ports, effectively allowing global cruise port operators to invest in concessioned cruise terminals throughout the country—a highly anticipated move that will likely increase the number of homeported cruise ships in Greece. These developments have also attracted the interest of major cruise terminal operators such as Global Ports, which will be present at the event.
In May, the first ports to be privatized will be Alexandroupoli and Kavala. The list also includes major cruise destinations such as Corfu and Heraklion, which have confirmed their participation in PSTF 2019 as exhibitors, along with Piraeus and Rhodes. Their participation in the Forum will allow them to meet with members of the CLIA Ports and Destinations Advisory Committee and other stakeholders.
Having recently received the prestigious Best Destination – Leisure award at the ITB Berlin trade fair, Greece is the destination of choice for 35 million tourists annually, mainly thanks to its climate and two idyllic archipelagos, an iconic area of operations for the largest cruise lines.
An increasing number of arrivals are coming from the United States, according to data from Athens International Airport. The number of American arrivals has increased by 113% over the last five years, with many of them traveling to the country because of its varied cruise offerings.
In response, major US cruise lines increased their calls at Greek ports in 2019, and other niche companies, such as Disney Cruise Line, will resume operations in the country next year. Their routes include the ports of El Piero and Katakolon, near ancient Olympia. Additionally, the islands of Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete have been announced as ports of call for the company's 9- and 12-night cruises next year, following a five-year absence. Disney has confirmed its participation in the Posidonia Forum and plans to meet with destinations in preparation for its return to the region.
The 5th edition of the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy and is supported by the Hellenic Chamber of Navigation, the Mediterranean Cruise Ports Association (MedCruise), the Hellenic Association of Professional Yacht Owners, the Greek Marinas Association, the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies, the Union of Cruise Shipowners and Associate Members, the Federation of Hellenic Tourism Associations and Travel Agencies (fedHATTA), the Silver sponsors are the Port Authority of Piraeus and HEMEXPO, and the Bronze sponsors are Air France – KLM – Delta, Aktina Travel Group, Global Ports Holding and Celestyal Cruises.
