With cruise activities storming to new record levels, ports and destinations are reorganising their services and upgrading their infrastructures to sustainably host cruise calls and passengers. A critical part of this process is understanding the actual impact of cruise activities on a destination.
In a recent study, PortEconomics members Thanos Pallis and George Vaggelas explored the socioeconomic impact of cruise activities in Heraklion, the major port (and city) on the island of Crete in Greece. The cruise port of Heraklion hosts over 410.000 pax and more than 250 calls per cruise season.
The research is based on data collected from May 2023 to May 2024, with the contribution of 7.266 passengers, 252 crew members, port agents, travel agents, port and nautical services providers, and other stakeholders.
According to the findings of the study:
✅ € 60,2 m. is the total impact of cruise activities in Heraklion and the nearby region.
✅ € 36,05 εκ.is the direct economic impact of cruising (period 2023-2024)
✅ 521 full-time jobs are maintained per year due to the presence of cruising
✅ € 47,1 is the average spending/ pax (including homeporting)
✅ € 45,2 s the average spending/ pax (excluding homeporting)
✅ 47% of cruise pax enjoy a shorex (shore excursion), generating an added value of €7.7 m.
✅ € 182,95 is the total spending of the cruise vessel crew members disembarking at Heraklion ( 20% of all cruise members)
The study – conducted on behalf of Heraklion Port Authority SA – was presented at Heraklion in a seminar attended by several stakeholders, representatives of CLIA Europe, and cruise ports, and the findings are expected to be used to formulate future public and private strategies towards sustainable cruise growth.
You might download the extended version of the study’s presentation here: Pallis T. and Vaggelas G. (2024). Socioeconomic impact of cruise in Heraklion, Crete. University of Piraeus Research Centre, Piraeus.
