As we approach the close of another holiday season, I find myself reflecting on what these ships truly mean for Rhodes and our neighbouring Greek islands.
For me, they represent far more than vessels in a harbour – they bring opportunity, prosperity, and a future for those of us who call these islands home.
The economic contribution is impossible to ignore. Across Greece, cruise tourism generated €2 billion in economic output and supported over 22,600 jobs in 2023. That economic impact is felt directly by our island communities. For example, in 2024, Mykonos saw €201 million and Corfu €193 million flowing into their local economies from cruise tourism.
But the true measure of prosperity goes deeper than numbers on a balance sheet. It’s the local taverna owner being able to hire additional staff. It’s the artisan being able to sell their products after a difficult few years. Perhaps most importantly, it’s young people choosing to build their lives on the islands of their birth, of their ancestors, rather than leaving for Athens or abroad.
Cruise tourism offers something invaluable: predictability. With ships arriving and departing like clockwork, cruise tourism allows us to plan ahead and invest in our businesses and infrastructure with confidence. This reliability creates stability for families and allows entrepreneurs to dream big and bigger.
Of course, there is nuance here. I understand the concerns some of my neighbours may express about pressure on our ports and town centres. These voices matter, and they deserve space in our conversation. However, painting all cruise tourism as inherently negative overlooks the opportunities before us. The path forward isn’t rejection, it’s balance.
The solutions we need will emerge from conversations among locals, working together to find balance. By collaborating with authorities and cruise companies, we can ensure sustainable tourism that respects our heritage while strengthening our economy. This isn’t about choosing between preservation and prosperity, it’s about creating a model that delivers both.
When a cruise ship arrives in Rhodes, the impact ripples through every corner of our community. The key is channelling that impact thoughtfully, creating a tourism model that allows Greek families to live, work, and thrive on our islands for generations to come.
That vision is what Welcome Ashore represents. If you believe, as I do, that our voices should shape the future of tourism in Greece, I invite you to join this coalition. Together, we can build something that works for all of us.