Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum Day 1
The rise of cruise with 5 additional cruise lines which have chosen Thessaloniki as a port of call, marked its return to the international cruise market. As the mayor of the town Mr Konstantinos Zervas said in his address during Posidonia Sea Tourism forum which took place in Thessaloniki “It is the best place to work, live, visit, create and have fun”.
Mr. Athanasios Liagkos, Executive Chairman of the BoD & Managing Director, ThPA SA – Port remarked that the port has achieved spectacular growth and has attracted a remarkable number of cruise ships during the last years. Mr. Piefrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman Cruise Division, MSC Group & Global Chairman Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) was the key note speaker of the conference. He referred to the extraordinary cruise opportunities in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
He pointed out that the challenges for Greece is the improvement of the cruise infrastructure in the smaller cruise destinations mainly in the islands.
This can be also achieved with privatization projects and the jointly co-operation of cruise lines, port authorities and the government.
As we look to the future CLIA is very optimistic for the cruise industry prospects with newcomer passengers and new ships been built to increase the capacity of the sector.
The panel of speakers examined the STATE OF THE INDUSTRY and the Crucial Role of the Mediterranean in Post-Pandemic Cruising.
After the traumatic period of the pandemic many European destinations experienced very high arrival numbers in the second half of 2022 reaching 2019’s record levels.
Despite the long pause in cruise operations which instigated a wide range of damage in corporate operations and financial results the sector of cruise is starting to recover.
Other speakers included Figen Ayan, President, MedCruise, Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Europe, Wybcke Meier, CEO, TUI Cruises GmbH, Chris Theophilides, CEO, Celestyal, Yu Zenggang, Chairman, Piraeus Port Authority SA and Moderator: Grant Holmes, Global Sector Head, Cruise & Superyacht Industry, Inchcape Shipping Services.
Mr. Chris Theophilides, CEO, Celestyal expressed his optimism for the cruise activities in 2023 which will surpass 2019 figures. As a company Celestyal is very active in the Eastern Mediterranean with 3 modern cruise ships adding more port of calls in Greek islands and other destinations in the Mediterranean to enrich the cruise experience of its passengers.
Mr. Yu Zenggang, Chairman, Piraeus Port Authority SA described the Piraeus port initiatives to strengthen the capacity of the cruise terminal. The home porting from Piraeus port is increasing and more economic benefits are granted to the city of Piraeus and the economy.
From the 800 cruise ships that are called every year at the port of Piraeus 600 ships are starting its round trip from Piraeus.
The port of Piraeus has 3 cruise terminals and aims at the construction of a new terminal which can accommodate giant cruise ships.
The project will be delivered in the next 2-3 years. Other initiatives are in process to accelerate immigration clearance and embarkation procedures and services.
The next panel of speakers discussed the Growth Challenges for Cruise Lines and Destinations.
The speakers said that as tourism begins to regain its pre-pandemic rhythm, sustainability and overcrowding challenges will also return to the forefront for many popular destinations. Sustainability will also have a major impact in future itinerary, design and guest satisfaction.
Cruise lines, central & local governments, private sectors and ports could cooperate to develop and promote enough destination alternatives to better disperse call traffic and mitigate the impact on marquee ports.
In his speech Capt. George Koumpenas, President, Hellenic Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members’ Union & Chief Operating Officer, Celestyal told that you cannot blame the cruise industry in case of the poor island's infrastructure that cannot accommodate more cruise ships.
Despite the challenges such as berth allocation in Santorini and other small islands, Greece's cruise industry is growing at a steady pace.
Speakers of the panel were also Agnes Brochet, Director, Destination Research, Development & Planning, Silversea Cruises, Alessandro Carollo, Director, Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Group, George Koumpenas, President, Hellenic Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members’ Union & Chief Operating Officer, Celestyal, Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning, Azamara Cruises, Gianluca Suprani, SVP Port Development and Shoreside Activities, MSC Cruises SA and Moderator: Holly Payne, Editor Video Production & Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise.
Last but not least a CLIA Europe session with the title “Pathways to Net Zero” took place during the 1st day of the forum.
The speakers were Linden Coppell, Vice President, Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises, Calypso Diareme, Global Head, Cruise Logistics, ATPI, Ukko Metsola, Vice President, Government Relations, EMEA, Royal Caribbean Group, Dr. Ioannis Pappas, Director Mediterranean Region, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Antony Vourdachas, Principal Engineer, Global Sustainability Center Athens, ABS and Moderator Sascha Gill, Vice President, Sustainability, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Smaller islands on the radar of the major luxury cruise companies as trend for unique experiences
Study presents positive financial impact of cruise for Thessaloniki
Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum Day 2
Luxury cruise companies are turning their attention to smaller, off-the-beaten-path destinations, according to discussions at the 7th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, held in Thessaloniki, Greece. While mainstream ports of call will always have their place, the trend for unique experiences in lesser-known destinations is taking hold.
However, the inclusion of more exotic locales on luxury cruise itineraries is not without its challenges. Infrastructure readiness at smaller destinations can be a concern, as well as quality venue availability and berthing policies, as noted by several industry professionals.
Not every island can fulfil all needs due to various challenges according to Michele Bosco, Manager, Shore Excursions and Operations Europe, Africa, Middle East, Princess Cruises.
“Poor venue maintenance post Pandemic has led to reduced capacity at certain venues in smaller destinations, which in turn leads to higher cost for guests, meaning that some of the challenges we are facing now have their roots at Covid. Certain venues have also closed down for business and others no longer want to collaborate with cruise companies as the global tourism rebound means that they are receiving stronger flows of independent tourists, reducing their reliance on groups coming from our ships,” he said.
The lack of venue availability is a concern also shared by Agnes Brochet, Director, Destination Research, Development & Planning, Silversea Cruises. “In small islands we will have lack of space for all our guests to secure a spot, when we are at full capacity, because we offer one free excursion at each of the destinations we are visiting, therefore demand for onshore excursion is strong, and that is one of our main land-side challenges.”
Berthing policy in Greece is also a cause for concern for the luxury cruise brands such as MSC’s Explora brand. Sacha Rougier, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experiences, Explora Journeys said. “Relooking at the berthing policy in Greece would help us solve a major challenge we are facing, as in some cases we fail to secure a slot even when we have had initial confirmation. This causes all sorts of issues for the company which we’d rather had avoided. Lack of transportation guides also pauses problems in certain destinations,” she said.
Brochet said that research is key before deciding to add new, lesser known destinations. “Before we zero in on a new destination we conduct comprehensive research. We then need to put all this in an idea-generating machine which involves everyone in our company through a virtual ideas box open to everyone, including crew members who visit so many places around the world. Even when our people go on a holiday in lesser known coastal destinations, they are encouraged to share their opinions and ideas about the appeal of these destinations with our destination department team for their assessment.
“We then develop business cases and when they look viable, we do the scouting leveraging our team of 100 people in the destination department who are sent onsite to survey and assess the destination,” she said.
In terms of what luxury cruise guests seek out of the secret gem destinations, unique human and sustainable experiences top the preferences list. “Going to homes of local people or spend time with a local chef are just a couple of examples,” said Constantine Venetopoulos, Director, Communications & PR, Variety Cruises. “We have launched a product ‘Unexplored Greece’ visiting Ikaria and Amorgos and it is now our best seller. Our boats are for 50 guests, so we are niche and for us finding these places is basically finding what our guests want. It is also important to bear in mind the demographics of guests before tailoring certain experience-enhancing shore excursions.
It is important to be able to distinguish between what is popular and what is trendy added Bosco: “Smaller group tours are becoming more popular. Tours off-the-beaten-path such as food and drink walking tours in local non touristic venues, or culinary tours where the ship chef takes guests to the local market to select the fresh produce for their dinner or cooking together with them. Meet the family of the farm is also becoming trendy when it comes down to luxury cruising products.”
Luxury cruise guests are searching for the unique and the unexpected and few people would know that an actual desert exists in a Greek island, according to Olympia Anastasopoulou, General Secretary of Tourism Policy and Development, Ministry of Tourism, Hellenic Republic, who keynoted the second and final day of the Forum.
“Coastal and maritime tourism can be a powerful tool for the development of Greece’s national economy as it currently contributes 1.5% of the country’s GDP. Greece possesses the characteristics to make it one of the most attractive destinations for Europe in sea tourism, ranking ninth in the world in terms of coastline length. But we also have mountains, lakes, rivers and even a desert in the Greek island of Limnos. This is why our potential to become a leading cruise destination is significant.”
Her optimism about the continuous growing contribution of the cruise sector to the Greek economy is echoed in the findings of a recent preliminary study conducted by Thanos Pallis, Professor, Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, who shared some insights with the PSTF 2023 delegates.
Titled ‘Assessment of the Socio-Economic Impact of the Cruise for Thessaloniki’ the research started in November 2022 and is expected to be completed next October 2023 to investigate the economic impact of the cruise activity both in the city of Thessaloniki, but also in the wider metropolitan area of the city.
Based on actual figures so far gathered between November 2022 and April 2023, the projected estimates for the financial contribution of the cruise sector in Thessaloniki on an annualised basis, indicates that the direct positive effects range between a basic scenario of €5.23 million to a positive scenario of €6.49 million. There is also the indirect positive effects that range between €3.43 million for the base scenario and €4.33 million on the more optimistic projection. Combined, the positive effects are expected to range between €8.56 million for the base scenario and €10.82 million for the positive scenario.In terms of employment impacts, this year's cruise season, with a significant expected number of 68 cruise ship calls at the port of Thessaloniki, is estimated to result in sustaining 111 full-time jobs on an annual basis.Among the most important findings of the research, is the satisfaction of cruise passengers, as reflected in the fact that 90.1% of passengers state that after their visit they are extremely to quite likely to recommend Thessaloniki as a tourist destination.
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