The cruise industry is willing to work with the government and port authorities to support the creation of the necessary infrastructure in emerging destinations in Greece, the president and CEO of the International Cruise Lines Association (CLIA), Bud Darr, said in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
Commenting on the announcement of an increase in port fees, mainly in popular destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini, the president of CLIA pointed out that the proposed start date coincides with the middle of the high tourist season as the cruise itineraries for this summer have already been determined and there will be commercial impacts.
He also added that a significant part of both the financial and practical management of the new fee is shifted to local shipping agents, as they are called upon to manage advance tax payments.
"We are not in favor of imposing cruise fees as a means of supposedly reducing congestion. Our experience shows that passenger volumes are best controlled through effective tourism management," he explained.
Regarding the issue of decarbonization in the industry, Bud Darr stated that approximately 60% of cruise ships worldwide are now equipped with Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems, and this percentage is increasing every year. He also emphasized that Greece is an extremely attractive cruise destination, thanks to its numerous islands and coastlines to explore, as well as its rich cultural heritage.