Posidonia Expo Boosts Greece’s Reputation as a MICE Tourism Destination

Photo source: Posidonia Exhibitions

Greece is getting ready to welcome thousands of global trade visitors at Posidonia 2018, the world’s most prestigious shipping exhibition, which will run June 4-8 at the Athens Metropolitan Expo.

Theodore Vokos, Executive Director, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A. Photo by GTP

“We are pleased to announce that Posidonia has grown again this year as we will host 1,960 exhibitors from 91 countries,” Theodore Vokos, Executive Director, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A., the organizer of the event, told GTP Headlines during a recent media event in Athens.

Exhibitors at Posidonia will include professionals from a wide range of maritime industry sectors.

“I think only the Olympic Games have hosted more countries than us,” he added with a smile.

According to Vokos, the Posidonia exhibition contributes greatly to Greece’s image as a MICE destination, capable of holding major exhibitions, international conferences and corporate events.

“The exhibition adds to the country’s inbound tourism numbers… MICE tourism has multiple benefits, as we are referring to business visitors/tourists who spend more on average than leisure visitors,” Vokos said, adding that many of the trade visitors that come to Posidonia, extend their stay and visit the islands when the exhibition is over.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the five-day event is expected to be the biggest ever with more than 20,000 visitors in Greece.

“This is especially pleasing because a side benefit of Posidonia is that it generates a turnover of 62 million dollars for the Greek economy and the broader economy of the Attica region,” he said, referring to revenue from accommodation, dining, building stands in the expo and customs expenses for the clearance of the products they exhibit at the show.

Regarding the shipping sector, Vokos appeared optimistic.

“I think the very bad seasons have passed… There is a general feeling of optimism. The new generation of Greek shipowners invests in fleet and believe that shipping remains a dominant business activity in Greece and that it will grow even more,” he said, adding that there are many requirements and regulations that are imposed on investment, both for environmental and technical reasons.

Photo source: Posidonia Exhibitions

“Overall, I think there is a great deal of positiveness in shipping and great developments. There are new challenges that need to be addressed, but the good news is that you see Greek shipping companies investing and staying in the market, new shipping entrepreneurs investing in the market and others trying to enter,” he added.

The Posidonia 2018 shipping exhibition will include a full program of side events that includes conferences, seminars, workshops and interesting panel discussions which are yet again expected to set to shape the global shipping agenda and define the future of an industry that sits at the core of world economic developments.

The exhibition will be held under the auspices of the Shipping Ministry, the Union of Greek Shipowners and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, with the support of the Piraeus Municipality and the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee.