This year, cruise tourism in Greece is seeing remarkable growth, with Piraeus emerging as the key hub and primary home port in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Despite positive indicators, the country still tends to undervalue this sector, as emphasized by Vasilis Korkidis, president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during a recent meeting of local organizations in Piraeus.
According to the chamber’s data, Greece attracted over 40 million visitors in 2024, with cruise passenger movements accounting for 8 million, translating to around 2 million travelers in this sector. Piraeus, Santorini, and Mykonos represented 55% of the total cruise traffic, with significant visitor numbers.
Passenger traffic at Piraeus is anticipated to rise by 22% in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Korkidis noted that the growth of the cruise sector stems not only from geopolitical factors but also from Greece’s strategic location and high-quality tourism offerings.
“Greece ranks as the third largest cruise destination in Europe, after Italy and Spain, with more than 5,500 ship arrivals annually,” he stated, urging for enhancements in infrastructure, services, and organized excursions to manage visitor flow effectively.
However, he raised concerns about Greece’s economic performance compared to other European nations: “While the EU cruise sector generates over 55 billion euros in revenue, Greece’s earnings are under 1 billion annually, indicating we are falling behind.”
Environmental Impact – Social Considerations
A significant focus was placed on the environmental impact of cruise ships. A report by the think tank Transport & Environment indicates that Piraeus is the third most polluted port in Europe, following Barcelona and Civitavecchia, Italy. In cities like Marseille, Livorno, and Valencia, residents are increasingly opposed to cruise tourism due to its contribution to overtourism without delivering substantial benefits to local communities.
In Piraeus, local tourism professionals, including hoteliers and restaurateurs, express concerns regarding the limited economic impact of cruise passengers, who often do not engage with local goods and services.
The Role of the Piraeus Port Authority – Future Proposals
The Piraeus Port Authority has proposed several initiatives aimed at the holistic development of Piraeus as a cruise destination, ensuring that local economies reap the benefits:
1. Establish a port “cluster” to provide services for cruise ships.
2. Develop a digital application promoting tourism in Piraeus.
3. Ensure the presence of personnel to offer information during passenger disembarkation.
4. Install interactive tourist signs and create routes within the city.
5. Advocate for pedestrian and cycling tourist routes.
6. Organize cultural events at the port.
7. Host performances at the Municipal Theater of Piraeus aimed at tourists.
8. Enhance the availability of Greek products on cruise ships.
Additionally, initiatives like “Greek Cuisine on Board,” organized in collaboration with FORUM S.A. and other entities, are crucial for boosting exports through ship catering.
