![Cruise industry: More than 700 cruise ships will dock at Greek ports this year](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_Celestyal-Experience.jpg)
More than 700 cruise ships will approach our country’s ports this year, of which 570 will do home porting with obvious benefits for local economies, since Home porting means four times the revenue in each region.
The above was highlighted a while ago at an event in the port of Lavrio organized by Celestyal Cruises on the occasion of the start of this year ‘s cruise program of the company from that port.
Celestyal Cruises will make from Lavrio three and four day cruises to the Greek islands and Turkey with home port, with the cruise ship Celestyal Olympia starting tomorrow its first voyage with very satisfactory fullness as it will accommodate 1200 passengers with a total capacity of 1.8 transport passengers.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Shipping Giannis Plakiotakis stressed that 2022 will be a very good year for the cruise industry which is preparing for a good start.
The Minister also gave news announcing the creation of an electronic berth allocation platform to facilitate the access of cruise ships to the various ports of the country. Referring to the port of Lavrio, he stressed that the construction of five floating piers is in the final stage.
Undersecretary of Tourism Sofia Zacharaki stressed that the government wants to bring the country one step further in maritime tourism where last year according to the BoG data recorded a revenue increase of 1900% in 2021 compared to 2020.
Ms. Zacharaki underlined the opportunity that opens for the city of Lavrio as a tourist destination by the 70,000 tourists who will arrive in Lavrio to start a cruise with Celestyal from there.
The business director of Celestyal Cruises, Mr. George Koumpenas, stressed that Celestyal is unfortunately the only cruise company based in Greece.
In 2021 it hosted 120,000 tourists from 140 countries with its total footprint on the Greek cruise approaching 133 million euros. For 2022, he added that 62 cruises will have a starting port in Lavrio. The benefits for the city of Lavrio will be significant as research has shown that the cruise tourist leaves 400 euros per passenger based on the port while one in three passengers return for vacation.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Shipping, Mr. Vangelis Kyriazopoulos, underlined that Lavrio has a character that should keep and highlight the industrial character together with the tourist one and not become Disneyland.
Finally, the Mayor of Lavrio, Dimitris Loukas, expressed his satisfaction for the fact that Celestyal Cruises chose Lavrio for home porting, while as stated to ot.gr, the Municipality will launch VIP buses so that tourists can visit various sights of the city before departure. .
![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: 1.5% Increase in Business Turnover in May 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/epixeiriseis_2-600x414.jpg)
ELSTAT: 1.5% Increase in Business Turnover in May 2024
The most significant increase in turnover in May 2024 compared with May 2023 was recorded from the enterprises of the Accommodation and Food Service Activities, sector which grew by 14.8%.
![Cosco: Container Traffic Decline at Piraeus Port Continues](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/olp1-scaled-1-2048x1312-1-600x384.jpg)
Cosco: Container Traffic Decline at Piraeus Port Continues
This strategic shift has diminished Piraeus's standing as a prominent Mediterranean port and a key transshipment hub post-Suez Canal.
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4