As Heraklion prepares to host the 8th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF) at Creta Maris from May 6–8, the spotlight is turning toward the Eastern Mediterranean—an area facing major challenges in advancing cruise tourism. From overtourism and environmental strain to infrastructure gaps and geopolitical instability, the region must now find sustainable ways forward.
This year’s forum, titled “Mediterranean: A Call for New Ports and Destinations,” will bring together leading industry figures, decision-makers, and policymakers. Their goal: to develop solutions for the current pressures facing the cruise sector and to unlock new opportunities for long-term, sustainable growth.
“The broader Eastern Mediterranean is dealing with a complex set of dynamics,” noted George Koubenas, President of the Union of Cruise Shipowners & Associated Bodies. “The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the escalating security risks in the Red Sea have significantly reduced cruise activity in the region, echoing the disruptions seen after the Arab Spring. Key markets such as Israel, Egypt, Cyprus, and southern Turkey are facing a notable downturn.”
Despite these pressures, Greece has shown remarkable resilience. The country’s cruise industry has rebounded strongly after the pandemic, and projections for the coming years are promising.
According to Theodoros Vokos, CEO of Posidonia, “Cruise tourism in Crete is set to skyrocket in the coming years, especially with the development of the new airport and the ongoing upgrades to the port of Heraklion. This year, Heraklion is expected to welcome 550,000 cruise passengers—and that number could double in the near future, providing a major boost to the local economy.”
Minas Papadakis, CEO of the Heraklion Port Authority (OLH), echoed this sentiment: “Our goal is to reach one million cruise passengers through Heraklion in the coming years.”
At a recent press conference, Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis described the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum as “a major development milestone for Crete.”
According to the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), Greece recorded 5,490 cruise ship calls in 2024, corresponding to nearly 7.93 million passenger visits—an increase of 260 ship calls and over 924,000 passengers compared to 2023. Homeporting continues its upward trend, with Piraeus leading the way as the departure port for 635 cruises and 1.1 million passengers, followed by Corfu, Heraklion, Lavrio, and Thessaloniki.
However, challenges remain. While the Eastern Mediterranean rebounded quickly post-COVID, Turkey has yet to return to its pre-pandemic popularity as a cruise destination. The continued absence of Black Sea itineraries and Turkey’s slower recovery have also affected cruise traffic to Greek ports in the northern and eastern Aegean.
The industry is now calling for closer collaboration between governments and the private sector to identify and develop new destinations sustainably. Larger cruise ships will likely continue to dominate the market, which makes it vital to upgrade ports with the capacity, resources, and ambition to support them—without compromising their cultural authenticity.
“There’s huge potential across the Eastern Mediterranean, beyond the usual destinations,” emphasized Manolis Alevropoulos, Vice President of Marine Operations at Celebrity Cruises – Royal Caribbean Group. “With the right infrastructure and destination management, many underused ports could become iconic stops that add significant value for travelers and local economies alike.”
Indeed, there are numerous coastal and island destinations in the region with untapped potential—places that, with strategic investment, could support larger vessels and offer rich travel experiences. Future development plans must include these areas if the region is to sustain its cruise industry growth.
The PSTF 2025 is supported by a host of institutional and corporate sponsors:
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Diamond Sponsor: Heraklion Port Authority (OLH)
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Gold Sponsors: Region of Crete and the Organization for the Development and Management of Cultural Resources (ODAP)
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Silver Sponsors: Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and Piraeus Port Authority
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Bronze Sponsors: Celestyal Cruises and Kyvernitis Travel Group
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Other Sponsors: Thessaloniki Port Authority, Minoan Lines
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Supporters: Heraklion International Airport and Creta Interclinic
The official airline partner is SKY express. The forum is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Municipality of Heraklion, with additional support from the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), MedCruise, and the Union of Cruise Shipowners.