POSIDONIA SEA TOURISM FORUM 2025 NEWSETTER | ISSUE 3
CELESTYAL TO PROMOTE ARABIAN CRUISE PROGRAMME
Regular PSTF supporter Celestyal is a leading upper premium cruise operator, with headquarters in Greece and renowned for its immersive experiences in the Mediterranean, and more recently, the Adriatic and Arabian Gulf. At this year’s event, the liner will present its fleet transformation and expanded itinerary portfolio, which now includes winter Arabian Gulf programmes and several newly announced ports: Ras Al Khaimah, Aqaba, Jeddah, Muscat, and Sharm El Sheikh. This follows last year’s successful expansion into seven new countries and 11 ports.
Chris Theophilides, CEO, Celestyal said :
“The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum is a key meeting point for the cruise and maritime community. Celestyal is pleased to participate once again, share our refreshed brand and itineraries, and connect with key players driving the growth of cruise tourism in Greece and the Mediterranean.”
“The event has consistently served as a valuable platform for industry networking, visibility, and market positioning. It has enabled us to strengthen relationships with port authorities, tourism organisations, and fellow cruise operators. In 2025, our goal is to showcase the evolution of our brand, our upgraded fleet, and our expanded deployment strategy targeting a broader global audience.”
TURKISH PORT DELIGHTED TO ATTEND PSTF
Marmaris Cruise Port is preparing for its first-ever participation at the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum where it plans to promote its offerings as a premier cruise destination, strengthen relationships with industry partners and showcase its expertise in turnaround operations. The cruise industry is becoming increasingly important for Marmaris as it continues to attract more interest from cruise operators. Its prime location and naturally protected bay make it an ideal stop for cruise liners, offering both convenience and safety. In 2024, Marmaris Cruise Port successfully completed 27 turnarounds for Marella Discovery, utilizing its brand-new check-in facilities. The large-scale operation handled over 3,500 passengers and an equal volume of luggage, on a weekly basis. This year, the port already has planned calls with major cruise brands. By providing seamless transport solutions for cruise passengers seeking to explore beyond the main ports, the port is well-positioned to capitalize on the industry’s growth and enhance the overall travel experience in the region.
Murat Tugay, General Manager, said:
“As newcomers to this prestigious event, we look forward to engaging with industry leaders, exchanging insights, and exploring new opportunities in maritime tourism. As stakeholders in this dynamic industry, we believe in continuously learning from each other and working together to solve problems as well as drive innovation and growth in the cruise industry.”
A BLISS OF A BUSINESS CLASS
Greek regional airline SKY express made its maiden PSTF voyage two years ago in Thessaloniki and is now returning to Heraklion for its second consecutive presence at the Forum, where it plans to promote its BLISS Business Class. This new product features priority check-in, enhanced comfort, access to VIP lounges, additional free baggage allowance, private transport to the aircraft, a warm welcome, and a selection of healthy, fresh, high-quality in-flight meals. Furthermore, BLISS Business Class allows passengers to actively contribute to sustainability efforts by selecting their meal preferences in advance, including the option to decline a meal, thereby helping reduce food waste and unnecessary energy consumption. The cruise industry is a key segment for SKY express, which operates the youngest fleet in Greece, with 27 aircraft serving an expanding international network of 22 destinations, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome, Milan, Munich, and Istanbul.
An airline spokesperson said :
“Our participation in the previous Posidonia Sea Tourism Forums has been a highly valuable experience for our team. It allowed us to engage with key cruise line participants and highlight the development of SKY express. We expect our involvement in the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum 2025 to further strengthen the collaboration initiated at the previous event, while fostering new partnerships and expanding our network with additional stakeholders.”
European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, confirms participation and will deliver keynote speech
PIRAEUS PORT STRENGTHENS POSITION AS A LEADING MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE HUB
The cruise sector remains a cornerstone of Piraeus Port’s revenue, reinforcing its status as a premier hub in the Mediterranean. To meet the industry’s growing demands, largescale infrastructure projects are underway, including the addition of two new berthing spaces, which will further enhance tourism and solidify Greece’s position as a top cruise destination. Piraeus Port Authority S.A. (PPA) has been a consistent presence at the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF), using the event to strengthen its reputation as a leading homeport destination and a key player in regional cruise operations. In 2024, Piraeus Port achieved record-breaking numbers, welcoming over 1.7 million cruise passengers, up from 1.5 million in 2023. Homeporting activity continues to rise, with more than 600 of the 810 total cruise ship calls classified as homeport, underscoring the port’s critical role as a major embarkation and disembarkation hub. The number of homeporting passengers also exceeded 1 million, a significant increase from 800,000 the previous year. Su Xudong, CEO of PPA S.A., expressed his satisfaction with the steady growth of the cruise sector in Piraeus, emphasizing that the port’s strategic location, combined with PPA’s ongoing investments in infrastructure and services, is yielding impressive results.
Sponsors
THESSALY SHOWCASES VOLOS AS A PREMIER CULTURAL CRUISE DESTINATION AT PSTF
The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF) provides a valuable platform for the Region of Thessaly to promote the mainland city of Volos as the departure point for a new cultural cruise itinerary that offers passengers a rich cultural and historical experience with visits to destinations such as Meteora, the Ancient Theatre of Larissa, and the Pelion Railway, while also showcasing the region’s natural beauty, traditional architecture, and renowned gastronomy. This marks Thessaly’s second participation in PSTF, as part of its strategic efforts to position itself as a microcosm of Greece, boasting unique islands (Sporades), stunning beaches, majestic mountains including the iconic Mount Olympus, rich religious heritage, and breathtaking landscapes such as Plastiras Lake, Pertouli, and Tempi. The region also offers modern cities and a deep cultural legacy.
Ioannis Anastasiou, Vice Governor for Digital Governance and Citizen Service, Region of Thessaly, said :
“We are participating in Posidonia because we see it as a key opportunity to present our cultural cruise project, ‘Argo,’ home-ported in Volos, to industry stakeholders. We believe this proposal is a winwin for cruise companies already operating in or looking to enter the Greek market,”
To support this initiative, significant investments have been made, including the dredging of the port of Volos to ensure it meets international standards for home-porting specialized cruise types.
Anastasiou added,
“The cruise industry is a priority for Thessaly, and Volos has all the necessary infrastructure and criteria to become a major hub for cultural cruises.”
EDUCATING THE FUTURE OF SEA TOURISM BY STRENGTHENING INDUSTRY TIES
The cruise industry represents an important component of the educational and strategic mission of the American College of Greece, particularly through its undergraduate and graduate programmes in tourism and shipping, offered by Deree and Alba, respectively. In its second consecutive PSTF participation, the American College of Greece plans to promote its academic programmes while showcasing how they contribute to the evolving needs of the industry. The esteemed educational institution also aims to explore new opportunities for collaborations that foster talent development, innovation, and sustainability in sea tourism and shipping.
George Kokosalakis, ScD, Executive Director, Centre of Excellence in Shipping, Logistics, & Energy and Associate Professor, School of Business and Economics, Deree, said:
“The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum unites the maritime and tourism industries to address pressing challenges like sustainability, digitalization and climate resilience. The American College of Greece proudly contributes to this effort through interdisciplinary education and research—from green energy integration to AI-driven logistics—preparing the future leaders to innovate ethically in this rapidly transforming sector. At this year’s Forum, we aim to strengthen industry-academia partnerships, share actionable insights on decarbonization, operational efficiency and sustainable tourism practices. Together, we can accelerate the economy’s transition to net-zero while fostering inclusive growth, constituting Greece the leading innovator in the areas of sea and tourism sectors.”
ELIME STRENGTHENS GREECE’S POSITION AS A LEADING CRUISE DESTINATION AT PSTF 2025
The cruise industry plays a crucial role for the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), as many Greek ports serve as key destinations for cruise lines in the Mediterranean. As ELIME prepares for its second participation in the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF), it aims to leverage valuable networking opportunities, enhance international visibility, and gain insights into the latest trends and innovations in sea tourism.
Vasileios Mamalis, Executive Director of ELIME, said :
“We look forward to expanding our network, strengthening existing partnerships, and exploring new collaboration opportunities within the cruise industry at PSTF 2025.”
As part of its strategic initiatives, ELIME plans to launch an updated version of the GreekCruise.gr portal, which will offer more detailed and user-friendly descriptions of all cruise destinations in Greece, providing an enhanced digital experience for travelers and industry stakeholders alike. The organization continues to capitalize on the cruise sector’s growth by supporting port upgrades, improving passenger services, and promoting sustainable practices. These efforts aim to accommodate the rising number of cruise visitors while contributing to Greece’s economic growth and tourism development.
TRAVELWAY TOURISM & SHIPPING REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PSTF AND THE CRUISE INDUSTRY
Travelway Tourism & Shipping remains one of the most dedicated exhibitors at the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF), as it prepares for its eighth participation in the event. The Athens-based cruise travel specialist has been a part of PSTF since its inaugural edition 14 years ago, using the platform to strengthen industry relationships, gain valuable market insights, and explore new business opportunities in the cruise sector.
Spyros Hambas, CEO of Travelway Tourism & Shipping, said :
“For the 2025 Forum, we are eager to further expand our network, engage in insightful discussions on industry trends, and showcase how our services continue to evolve to meet the dynamic needs of the sector,”
Recognizing the cruise industry’s vital role in its business, Travelway has built strong strategic partnerships with the world’s largest cruise lines. These collaborations have been instrumental in the company’s growth, enabling it to capitalize on the industry’s expansion, reinforce its market position, and continuously deliver high-quality services and value to both partners and customers.
IT’S ALL ABOUT CHEMISTRY
Aphrodite Skincare – Zacharioudakis G. INC, a producer and distributor of natural skin care products and soaps, will be exhibiting its premium products at the PSTF for the first time, aiming to gain a share of the lucrative beauty and well-being market within the cruise industry.
Maria Zacharioudaki, CEO & Chemist, said :
“As first-time participants, we look forward to connecting with key players in the sea tourism industry and exploring collaborations with cruise lines, tour operators, and hotel chains.”
She added,
“Our goal is to introduce Aphrodite Skincare’s premium Greek products to international markets and promote wellness experiences rooted in the Cretan tradition of natural beauty care. Over the past few months, we have developed and launched several innovative skincare products inspired by Greek tradition.”
In the past, the company has successfully collaborated with Celestyal Cruise Lines and is now eager to explore new opportunities and re-establish partnerships – either directly with cruise lines or through suppliers of onboard retail gift shops. The company’s formulas are enriched with Cretan virgin olive oil and are available in elegant, travel-size gift sets featuring unique Greek scents – ideal for onboard boutiques or guest amenities. All of these products will be showcased at the Forum.
