Greece’s cruise tourism industry experienced a remarkable surge in 2023, generating a substantial 908.4 million euros in travel receipts, marking an impressive 84.1% growth compared to the previous year. The Bank of Greece reported that the main Greek locations accounted for 83.7% of all cruise ship arrivals in the country, contributing to this significant increase.
The port of Piraeus emerged as a key player, surpassing Santorini and Corfu by 8.5% and 13.3% respectively, and contributing 47.8% of the total cruise-related receipts. In 2023, seven crucial cruise ship terminals facilitated the majority of cruise passenger visits and receipts, with 82.7% of visits and 90.8% of receipts being attributed to them.
The number of cruise ship arrivals increased from 4,598 in 2022 to 5,152 in 2023, leading to a substantial 121.5% increase in overnight accommodations on land, totaling 9,421.9 thousand. This surge in overnight stays significantly boosted cruise revenue, with the annual growth rate of the cruise passenger population reaching 61.1% and totaling approximately 3,484.1 thousand individuals.
Santorini, Piraeus, and Mykonos were the top three destinations for cruise ship arrivals, with Santorini alone accounting for 15.5% of the total arrivals. The number of cruise passenger visits also saw a notable 55.0% increase, reaching 6,964.2 thousand in 2023.
In March, the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) revealed that Greece broke all cruise records in 2023, welcoming 5,230 cruise ship arrivals and 7,003,150 passengers through its 49 ports. This represented a remarkable 9.41% increase in arrivals and a 51.26% increase in passengers compared to 2022.
The impressive growth in Greece’s cruise tourism industry in 2023 highlights the country’s appeal as a premier cruise destination, attracting a growing number of visitors and contributing significantly to the economy.
