Isabelle C\u00f4t\u00e9, International Terminal Operations Management Consultant, Virgin Voyages<\/strong>, emphasised the urgency of interim solutions: \u201cThe long-term plans are important, but what about now? We need quick wins – smarter, creative refurbishments and adjustments to ease pressure while we wait for major redevelopments to catch up.\u201d She added, \u201cWaste management, better recycling systems and rethinking our guest experience – helping them be more like travellers and less like tourists – are ways to act now, not later.\u201d<\/p>\n For Aziz G\u00fcng\u00f6r, Regional Director, East Med Ports, Global Ports Holding<\/strong>, the challenge is as much bureaucratic as it is physical: \u201cEven technology can\u2019t always fix congestion when infrastructure falls short. Local engagement, streamlined regulations and environmental responsibility are key to long-term success – and they all take time, planning and community buy-in.\u201d<\/p>\n Thanos Pallis, Professor, Maritime & Port Economics, Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus Minas Papadakis, CEO, Heraklion Port Authority<\/strong>, spoke candidly about the transformation of Greek ports and the scale of the challenges involved: \u201cPorts are no longer just passenger or cargo hubs – they are evolving into energy hubs, and that shift requires enormous capital investment, smart planning, and a modernised legal framework. For ports like Heraklion, which are close to urban centres, this is especially sensitive. The local community sees itself not just as a stakeholder, but as a shareholder in the port\u2019s future. That means every step we take – in master planning, redevelopment, or investment – must be taken with public trust in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n He also pointed to the financial and operational strain caused by berth cancellations from cruise lines: \u201cWe are actively considering implementing cancellation fees for berths that are booked at the start of the season but later released. These last-minute cancellations create inefficiencies, disrupt planning, and represent lost opportunities for both the port and the local economy. Cruise lines must share the responsibility for sustainable port operations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a paradox: today, it\u2019s easier to build a cruise ship than the port it docks at,\u201d said Gianluca Suprani, Senior VP, Port Development, MSC Cruises<\/strong>. \u201cWe support OPS [onshore power supply] initiatives, especially near urban ports, and we want berth allocation systems to be transparent and publicly accessible. With half of our guests disembarking for excursions, better coordination with local authorities is essential to avoid congestion and preserve the destination experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam Sharp, Deputy Deal Director, Cruise Terminals International<\/strong>, summed up the discussion in stark terms: \u201cPart of the solution is simply acknowledging there\u2019s a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the highlights of the event included the announcement of a two-year strategic partnership between the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum and MedCruise. Theodore Vokos, Managing Director of Posidonia Exhibitions S.A.<\/strong> said: \u201cWe would like to thank MedCruise for their constant support of PSTF, as they were one of the first organisations to recognise our commitment to promote the cruise industry an create a platform conducive to the strengthening of relations between Mediterranean ports and the industry, and today we formalise this long-term collaboration with a strategic agreement that binds us to work together for many PSTFs to come in the future.\u201d MedCruise\u2019s presence at this year\u2019s PSTF was again strong, with both President Theodora Riga and the Secretary General Nicky Guerrero joining panel discussions and providing insight into the ports\u2019 perspective.<\/p>\n The second panel of Day 2 of the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, \u2018Cruise Lines & Destinations: \u2018The Need for an Earnest Dialogue\u2019 picked up where the first left off: with a call to action for deeper cooperation between cruise lines and destinations. In a standout panel, speakers tackled what one participant described as the lingering disconnect between visitor satisfaction and community wellbeing. What emerged wasn\u2019t just a series of soundbites, but a compelling roadmap for a more collaborative, sustainable future.<\/p>\n Thanos Pallis, Professor, Maritime & Port Economics, Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus Ligia Balea, Product Manager, Shore Excursions, Carnival Cruise Lines<\/strong>, opened the discussion with a ground-level perspective: \u201cSmall innovations can go a long way,\u201d she said, pointing to curated cultural experiences that not only delight guests but strengthen local economies. \u201cIn some destinations, we receive real-time community feedback that helps us adjust and improve shore excursions. When local vendors and operators are involved in designing experiences, the result is more than a tour – it\u2019s a shared story. This isn\u2019t just business; it\u2019s about giving back.\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitris Bekos, Head of Greece, Cyprus, Egypt & UAE, Intercruises<\/strong>, expanded on this theme, urging the industry to confront the growing unease among residents in popular cruise destinations. \u201cThere\u2019s real concern about our environmental footprint and the impact of cultural dilution when thousands of guests arrive at once,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need to be more mindful. Immersive, community-centric tours are one answer. They allow us to diversify our offerings while creating meaningful connections between guests and locals.\u201d<\/p>\n Bekos\u2019 comments bridged the environmental and social aspects of sustainability, suggesting that authentic cultural experiences are also a tool for preservation.<\/p>\n From a more operational angle, Michele Bosco, Manager, Shore Excursion & Operations, Princess Cruises<\/strong>, focused on the logistics that can make or break destination experiences.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are practical ways to ease the pressure,\u201d he noted. \u201cStaggering ship arrivals, avoiding port calls during major local events, or simply extending stays from one to two days – these changes spread the flow of excursions and reduce congestion.\u201d<\/p>\n Taking a step back, Alessandro Carollo, Associate VP, Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Group<\/strong>, highlighted a structural challenge: the fragmented nature of destination governance. \u201cOften, we\u2019re not speaking to one unified voice,\u201d he explained. \u201cTourism boards, port authorities, municipalities – they don\u2019t always align. Before meaningful collaboration with cruise lines can begin, destinations must first align internally. Only then can they articulate what they want to achieve – be it sustainability, guest flow management, or economic development.\u201d<\/p>\n Carollo\u2019s point was clear: effective dialogue must be preceded by local coherence. Only when destinations define their identity can they invite the cruise industry into a productive conversation.<\/p>\n Finally, Thanos Pallis, Professor, Maritime & Port Economics, Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus<\/strong>, grounded the discussion in pragmatism and data.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need less buzzwords and more facts,\u201d he said bluntly. \u201cLong-term stability in sea tourism depends on sound planning, and for that we need data – shared, accessible, and understood by all stakeholders. It\u2019s the only way we\u2019ll move from reactive adjustments to proactive strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n The second and final day of the Forum also included parallel sessions on \u2018Coastal & Short Sea Shipping and \u2018Yachting & Marinas, to examine the evolution of maritime transport towards greener practices and the development of marina infrastructure to support the growing yachting sector.<\/p>\n The afternoon concluded with the \u2018YES to Sea Tourism Forum\u2019 session, focusing on youth engagement and education in the maritime sector. This session underscored the importance of nurturing the next generation of maritime professionals and fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation within the industry.<\/p>\n Backed by the Region of Crete and the Heraklion Port Authority, and organised by Posidonia Exhibitions, PSTF 2025 is doing more than spotlighting best practices; it’s setting the agenda. As the Mediterranean cruise sector seeks its future compass points\u2014collaboration, resilience, and sustainability\u2014forums like PSTF are essential landmarks on the map.<\/p>\n Sponsors for the 2025 PSTF include: Diamond Sponsor Heraklion Port Authority, Gold sponsors Region of Crete and Hellenic Organisation of Cultural Resources Development (ODAP), Silver Sponsors Greek National Tourism Organization and Piraeus Port Authority, Bronze sponsors Celestyal and Kyvernitis Travel Group, Sponsors Five Senses Consulting & Development, Minoan Lines, and Thessaloniki Port Authority, Supporters Heraklion International Airport and Creta Interclinic, Official Airline SKY express, and is organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Municipality of Heraklion and is supported by the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MedCruise), the Union of Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members of Greece, and the Panhellenic Ship Suppliers and Supporters Association.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Forum\u2019s Day 2 tackles bottlenecks in port infrastructure, community impact, and the need for cruise […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":258036,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[296],"tags":[307],"class_list":["post-258038","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tourism-english","tag-featured-en"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maritimes.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/PSTF2025_Photo-2.jpg\")
Dimitris Bekos, Head of Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and the UAE, Intercruises
Michele Bosco, Manager, Shore Excursions and Operations, Princess Cruises
Ligia Balea, Product Manager, Shore Excursions, Carnival Cruise Line
Alessandro Carollo, Associate VP, Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Group
Nicky Guerrero, Secretary General, MedCruise<\/p><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maritimes.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/PSTF2025_Photo-3.jpg\")
Nicky Guerrero, Secretary General, MedCruise
Anne-Marie Spinosi, VP, MedCruise
Vasiliki Kambana, Head of Financial Management Department, Heraklion Port Authority S.A.
Theodora Riga, President MedCruise and Corfu Port Authority SA
Theodore Vokos, Managing Director, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A.
Aimilia Papachristou, General Manager, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A.<\/p><\/div>\n