CLIA calls for a National Cruise Development Plan to support sustainable growth in Greece

ATHENS – Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has presented new findings that underline the growing contribution of cruise tourism to Greece’s economy and sustainability goals. The association launched an exhibition on sustainable cruise tourism in collaboration with the Eugenides Foundation, aiming to strengthen dialogue around the sector’s long-term development.

Speaking at the event, Maria Deligianni, CLIA’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasized that more than 55% of cruise traffic in Greece is concentrated in just three ports. She noted that expanding the network of cruise destinations is essential to ensure balanced growth and better visitor experiences.

CLIA proposed the creation of a National Cruise Development Plan, designed to guide investment in port infrastructure, shore facilities, and destination marketing. The plan would be developed jointly by the Greek Government and the cruise industry as part of their ongoing cooperation and funded through revenues from the cruise fee. According to Deligianni, such an initiative could help distribute the benefits of cruise tourism more evenly across the country, while reinforcing Greece’s role as a key hub in Mediterranean cruising.

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Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides, President of the Eugenides Foundation and Goodwill Maritime Ambassador of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), underlined that the development of cruise tourism must be based on balance, planning, and respect for both the environment and local communities. He also stressed the importance of education and skills development for young Greeks to benefit from opportunities created by the sector’s growth.

CLIA also shared the results of its 2025 Environmental Technologies and Practices Report, which shows steady progress toward sustainability among its member cruise lines. Advances include the testing of biofuels, investment in fuel-flexible engines, and increased use of low-emission fuels. The report highlights the adoption of energy-efficiency technologies such as onshore power supply, air lubrication systems, advanced wastewater treatment, and dual-fuel engines. More than 80 new vessels featuring these innovations are currently under construction worldwide.

In addition, a study by Oxford Economics found that cruise tourism contributed 201 million euros to Mykonos’s economy in 2024, supporting nearly 3,000 local jobs. The report also showed that cruise passengers spent an average of 107 euros per person during their stay, with eight out of ten visiting Mykonos for the first time. Over half were also first-time visitors to Greece. A similar study on Santorini’s cruise economy, commissioned by CLIA and conducted by the University of Piraeus, is expected to release its initial findings in early 2026.

The interactive exhibition “The Voyage”, open at the Eugenides Foundation in Athens until early January 2026, offers visitors an insight into the cruise industry’s environmental advancements and innovation in sustainability. Through immersive installations, it highlights how technology, education, and collaboration are shaping the future of responsible cruise tourism in Greece and beyond.

The article CLIA calls for a National Cruise Development Plan to support sustainable growth in Greece first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

The post CLIA calls for a National Cruise Development Plan to support sustainable growth in Greece appeared first on Travel Daily News