![Desire to launch cruise ships in Greece, starting in March](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Norwegian-Cruise-scaled.jpg)
The message that the cruise companies want to start the 2021 season, earlier, from the beginning of March, in Greece, is brought by Ms. Marie-Caroline Laurent new general director of the International Cruise Association CLIA for Europe, who is visiting our country today and tomorrow.
Ms. Laurent will meet with Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias and Shipping Minister Giannis Plakiotakis.
Among the topics that will be discussed is the cooperation between the public and the private sector in order to keep cruise ships safe, as was the case last year, when there was no infection on cruise ships, infrastructure improvement measures, tourist packages and wider issues such as decarbonization of shipping.
Her visit, just a few days after taking office, officially took place on November 15, shows the importance that CLIA gives to the Greek cruise market, which acquires new dynamics after the Memorandum of Cooperation recently signed in Smyrna by the Greek Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias and his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
The meeting between Greece and Turkey on tourism was the first joint tourism meeting held since 2011 and the memorandum of cooperation includes coastal shipping and cruising activities, thus facilitating further travel between the two countries.
On the occasion of the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation, the representative of CLIA in Greece, Mrs. Maria Delligianni said: “Cooperation between neighboring countries is crucial for the cruise. We warmly thank the Greek Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias and the Turkish Minister of Tourism and Culture Mehmet Nuri Ersoy for the close cooperation in order to improve the joint tourism and cruise activities between Greece and Turkey “.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![ELSTAT: Building Permits Increased by 40.1% in Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/oikod1-600x380.png)
ELSTAT: Building Permits Increased by 40.1% in Greece
Focusing on Private Construction Activity during this period, there was a 41.8% increase in building permits nationwide, a 40.2% rise in the area, and a 26.8% expansion in volume
![Greek Economy: Bankers’ Insights on Investments and Reforms](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ot_bankers4-600x352.png)
Greek Economy: Bankers’ Insights on Investments and Reforms
He also noted that the Recovery and Resilience Fund has seen over 50% of its funds absorbed, with more than 20% having been directed into the real economy.
![Greece: Airbnb Occupancy Hits 40% in June](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/airbnb-1-600x400.jpg)
Greece: Airbnb Occupancy Hits 40% in June
This growth, averaging about 20,000 new units per month, pushed the total number of accommodations to 224,860 by June, up from 204,578 the previous year.
![Fraport: Greece’s Regional Airports See 5.9% June Surge](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_airport_affixeis-1-1-600x352.png)
Fraport: Greece’s Regional Airports See 5.9% June Surge
Overall, during the first half of 2024, Fraport Greece's airports achieved remarkable results, handling more than 12.7 million passengers, a 7.8% increase compared to 2023.
![SFEE: Just 1 in 5 New Pharmaceutical Drugs Reach Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ΦΑΡΜΑΚΑ-shutterstock_1467910202-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
SFEE: Just 1 in 5 New Pharmaceutical Drugs Reach Greece
Greece spends 70% less than the European average on pharmaceuticals, and Greek patients face significant challenges accessing pharmaceutical drugs and treatments that are available in the country
![Attica Bank: Merger Process With Pancreta Commences](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/attica-bank-2048x1288-1-600x377.jpg)
Attica Bank: Merger Process With Pancreta Commences
A relevant announcement said the merger with Pancreta is expected to be completed by mid September
![Crete’s Heraklion Port Concession Deal Approved](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/heraklion-port2-1-600x369.jpg)
Crete’s Heraklion Port Concession Deal Approved
Owner of Minoan Lines Grimaldi Group acquired a 67% share of the port for a total price of 80 million euros
![Santorini Warning of Cruise Passenger Influx Causes Uproar](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/santorini1-600x400.jpg)
Santorini Warning of Cruise Passenger Influx Causes Uproar
A Santorini councilman urged locals to stay put and limit their activities during the arrival of cruise ships due to overtourism
![European Commission Approves Fourth 2.3 Billion Loan Payment to Greece Under RRF](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/european_commission_hq-flags_web-3-600x375.jpg)
European Commission Approves Fourth 2.3 Billion Loan Payment to Greece Under RRF
The Commission's preliminary assessment of Greece's request, completed on June 14, 2024, was positive, reflecting Greece's successful implementation of its recovery and resilience plan
![Greek Tourism: Projects Shaping the Landscape](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mandarin-Oriental-Costa-Navarino-Ormos-Beach-Club-1024x767-1-600x449.jpg)
Greek Tourism: Projects Shaping the Landscape
In Vonitsa, Aetolia-Acarnania, the Varko Bay resort is emerging as the first ultra-luxury retreat by Banyan Tree in Europe