Full Speed Ahead for Greek Cruise Tourism
New cruise products, theme-based experiences, luxury cruise packages as well as upgraded infrastructure to cater to the increasing needs of bigger incoming liners and direct flights were on the agenda of Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura’s meetings with global sector officials during the Seatrade Cruise Global conference held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last week.
During the four-day Seatrade Cruise Global conference, Kountoura met with representatives and executives of the cruise sector to discuss ways to further strengthen Greek cruise tourism and maintain Greece’s strong market share.
In this direction, the minister met with to the senior vice president, Charles Bud Darr, of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well as with Kyriakos Anastasiadis, chairman of CLIA Europe.
She discussed the potential of new Greek cruise destinations with Crystal Cruises CEO Edie Rodriguez, Ponant CEO Navin Sawhney, Norwegian Cruise Line president Frank del Rio and Azamara Club Cruises CEO Larry Pimentel, among others.
Kountoura also met with Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, and American investors and media. The minister also discussed a proposal for the establishment of a permanent film studio on the Cycladic island of Syros with Cannes Golden Lion winner film director Steven Bernstein and his team.