The positive outlook for 2018, which is expected to see a rise in cruise arrivals in Europe and particularly in Greece, was highlighted by General Secretary for Tourism Policy and Development Giorgos Tziallas during his contacts and meetings with the heads of the world cruise industry at the Seatrade Cruise Global 2018 International Tourism Fair in Fort Lauderdale, USA.
Mr. Tziallas represented the Ministry of Tourism at the largest global meeting in the cruises and maritime tourism sector, where the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) was present with a pavilion.
He participated discussions held at the expo for the future of the cruise in Europe and met high-ranking executives of the largest companies in the industry, including Mr. Kyriakos Anastasiades, President of CLIA Europe of the International Cruise Association, Mrs. Wybcke Meier, Managing Director TUI Cruise, Gianni Onorato, Managing Director of MSC Cruises, and Airam Diaz Pastor, President of Med Cruise.
In addition, the General Secretary held meetings with Vice President of CarnivalCorporation Giora Israel, with Celestyal Cruises President Leslie Peden and Managing Director of Navigator Travel & Tourist Services Andreas Stylianopoulos.
The talks covered the potential for the development of new Greek cruise and thematic tourist destinations, infrastructure projects to meet the needs of cruise ship hosting on the basis of global trends, and the strengthening of direct air links to strengthen the position of Greece as a competitive Mediterranean and European destination.