Greece’s cruise sector is expected to experience only a temporary boost following Hamas’ terrorist attacks in southern Israel, according to sector officials, with cancellation of cruises to the Mideast country shifting voyage itineraries to certain Greek isles for the remainder of the season.
The assessment was expressed this week by Union of Cruise Ship Owners and Associated Members (EEKFN) president Giorgos Koubenas and the group’s honorary president, Theodoros Kontes.
According to the latter, initial forecasts for 2023 cited roughly 4,800 visits to various Greek destinations by cruise ships, with the estimated number of passenger arrivals exceeding five million. However, revised forecasts now point to 4,940 port of calls and more than 5.24 million passenger arrivals.
The all-time record in Greece for cruise ship passenger arrivals was in the pre-pandemic 2019, 5.55 million.
Conversely, forecasts for 2024 will weigh heavily on the situation in the east Mediterranean, given that the renewed conflict in the Middle East will negatively impact the cruise sector in the wider region, a situation that impacts Egypt too, for instance.
Koubenas told ot.gr this week that cruise operators have cancelled stops to Israel after the vicious Hamas attack and replaced them with stops to Greek isles, especially Rhodes, and Turkish ports in western Anatolia. Home-porting at Haifa is also expected to be negatively impacted.
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
Eurostat: Women and Youth Most Underpaid in Greece
In the EU 18.2% of women are low-paid compared to men, against 23% in Greece. A staggering 43% of young Greeks are low-paid—the second-worst rate in Europe.
Public Services in Greece to Go Under Review with New Rating Tool
Public services will receive their evaluation scores and feedback directly, fostering a system of accountability and continuous improvement.
Istanbul Earthquake – Greek Prof. Concerned Major Quake Yet to Strike
Responding to concerns over whether a potential major quake in Istanbul could affect Greece, Papazachos was reassuring: “The fault extends as far as Lemnos and the Northern Sporades, but it doesn’t rupture all at once. An earthquake in Istanbul doesn’t have the capacity to directly affect Greek territory.”
Greece 4th Most Popular Summer Destination for Europeans
Southern Europe remains the top choice for Europeans at 41%, though down 8% from last year, likely due to rising temperatures and climate concerns.
Easter Sales Performance and the Source of €4–5 Million in Losses
Easter retail sales were relatively weak this year, with the only "real winners" being the livestock farmers who had lambs to sell.
Hotel Foreclosures Continue to Plague Greece’s Islands
A surge in hotel foreclosures across Greece’s islands threatens small tourism businesses, despite booming visitor numbers and record-breaking travel in 2024.
Athens Launches Task Force to Safeguard Historic City Center
The new municipal unit will ensure compliance to zoning laws, curb noise, and address tourist rental issues starting from the Plaka district.
WTTC: Travel & Tourism to Create 4.5M New Jobs in EU by 2035
This year, international visitor spending is set to reach 573 billion euros, up by more than 11% year-on-year
IMF: US Tariffs Shake Global Economy, Outlook Downbeat
IMF slashes global growth forecast to 2.8% as U.S. tariffs create uncertainty and ‘negative supply shock
First Step Towards New Audiovisual Industry Hub in Drama
The project is set to contribute to the further development of Greece’s film industry and establish Drama as an audiovisual hub in the region
![Accor: Η βιωσιμότητα «κλειδί» για την ανάπτυξη και ανθεκτικότητα του ελληνικού τουρισμού [έρευνα]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/thumbnail-90x90.jpg)
![Οι αλλαγές που υπάρχουν στα φορολογικά έντυπα για τα εισοδήματα του φορολογικού έτους 2024 από ακίνητα [Γ’ Μέρος]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/akinita-600x400.jpeg)
