amna.gr
Nicole Kazantzidou

As cruise tourism remains an activity with a substantial footprint on local economies in Greece—particularly in island destinations—an international dialogue platform, Welcome Ashore, focuses on the voice of local communities, opening up the discussion on how cruise tourism can operate more meaningfully for the benefit of the places that host it.

As noted by the Welcome Ashore ambassador in Greece, Anastasios Konstantaros, a maritime tourism development consultant and Chief Executive Officer of the Rhodes Tourism Organization, cruise tourism is extremely important for Greek communities, as it provides stable and reliable income to local businesses—from shops and restaurants to catering services—especially in island and coastal destinations. These revenues strengthen the tax base and translate into investments in public services, infrastructure and community projects, helping young people to live and work in their place of origin.

“Only in 2023, cruise tourism generated total economic activity of approximately €2 billion in Greece and supported nearly 22,000 jobs—figures that are now estimated to be even higher,” Mr. Konstantaros points out, adding: “It is also worth noting that cruise tourism acts as an excellent promotional tool for the country, as around 70% of cruise tourists return to Greece on a subsequent occasion as independent travelers.”