Athens to Host ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2018

The Alimos Marina, Athens. Photo Source: Greek Marinas Association

Athens between October 25-27, 2018, will host the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference, a leading international event organized every two years by the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA). The conference will be held at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).

“The Greek coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world for nautical tourism,” said ICOMIA Marinas Group President Roberto Perocchio.

The Greek capital was chosen among other cities, following the submission of a candidacy by the Greek Marinas Association (GMA) in collaboration with the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) and destination management and marketing agency Toposophy. The initiative was also supported by Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis and Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) President Yiannis Retsos, among other tourism sector officials.

“The whole marinas sector will gather there in 2018 to discuss the latest international developments and get inspired by the new investments set to be implemented in Greece through privatization and revamp schemes, as well as the increasing importance of tourism for the Greek economy,” Perocchio added.

Rhodes Island. Photo Source: GMA

The conference will be attended by sector professionals and experts; investors from around the world actively involved in services, administration, construction, equipment supply for ports, marinas and all types of pleasure boats; academic associations and public sector organizations.

“It is a one of a kind opportunity to showcase Greece’s capabilities and great potential in the sea tourism sector and marinas in particular,” Greek Marinas Association President Stavros Katsikadis said.

Founded in 2010, GMA includes 21 tourism ports/ marinas with a total of 8,100 berths for pleasure boats, which count for 65 percent of Greece’s berth capacity.