Discussion Topics: The partnership between cruise lines and seaplanes, and the World Tourism Exhibition in London

A recent meeting took place between the President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes S.A. Mr. Nikolaos Charalambous, and the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haris Theoharis, at the Ministry of Tourism. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss current issues surrounding the investment development of seaplanes, a shared area of interest.

Mr. Charalambous provided the Minister with an extensive update on the coordinated efforts between Hellenic Seaplanes and major cruise service providers. The ultimate goal is to create and promote a unified tourism package, set to launch in the upcoming tourist season. Specifically, at islands where cruise ships will dock, modern seaplane flight services will be activated.

Additionally, Mr. Charalambous informed the Minister about Hellenic Seaplanes’ participation in the World Travel Market, WTM in London, from November 4 to November 6, 2019.

At this annual exhibition, the company’s executives will have the opportunity to engage directly with international cruise organizing agencies and intensify the necessary procedures, finalizing the strategic plan for the seaplane-cruise partnership.

The Tourism Exhibition in London is one of the largest in the world and is ideal for exploring new collaborations. Since it first opened its doors in 1980, it has hosted thousands of exhibitors from around the globe every year. It is generally a meeting point and a major attraction for businesses, regions, and organizations with a special interest in the multiple aspects of tourism.

Cruise tourism heading to Greece and the broader Eastern Mediterranean region has firmly entered the developmental forefront of tourism and is showing a continuously increasing trend.

In particular, Greece is the third-largest cruise destination country in Europe, following Italy and Spain, as approximately 4 million passengers arrive in the country annually by cruise ship in recent years.

The demand for cruise packages is being met by the construction of new cruise ships, as confirmed by the arrival of the SKY PRINCESS cruise ship at the Port of Piraeus (in mid-October). This particular cruise ship is the newest of its kind in the world and made its maiden voyage from Piraeus with Barcelona as its final destination.

The strategic synergy between cruise ships and seaplanes can foster new alternative forms of tourism, such as sightseeing tourism with flights over significant landmarks. Therefore, new horizons open in a specialized and premium market, creating highly profitable tourist packages and adding prestige to the existing tourism product of the country.