With consistent progress and remarkable growth, Greece is positioning itself as a premier cruise destination in the Eastern Mediterranean, enhancing both its tourism profile and boosting the national economy.
As highlighted in the Annual Report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Greece has become a significant player in the Eastern Mediterranean cruise market, welcoming 1.86 million passengers from around the globe in 2024, up from 1.54 million in 2023. Notably, 1.1 million of these passengers hailed from Europe, an increase from 966,000 the previous year.
The economic impact of the cruise industry is also projected to reach 2 billion euros in 2023, reflecting an increase of 600 million euros from 2022.
In 2024, cruises close to home continue to attract travelers, with the Mediterranean identified as the leading destination for European cruise passengers, followed by the Caribbean and Northern Europe.
Europe remains a vital market, with a 2.8% rise in European cruise passengers in 2024. The top five European markets include Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, and France.
According to CLIA data, the global cruise industry welcomed 34.6 million passengers in 2024, with expectations of 37.7 million in 2025.
Strategic Importance
Vasilis Korkidis, president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, recently spoke at a Piraeus Municipality event focused on cruise industry development. He emphasized that Greece’s growth in this sector is rooted not only in geopolitical factors but also in its strategic location and the high quality of its tourism offerings.
Korkidis noted, “Greece is the third-largest cruise destination in Europe, following Italy and Spain, with over 5,500 ship arrivals each year.” He called for infrastructure improvements, enhanced services, and better-organized excursions to ensure effective visitor management.
