The 1st International Conference on Luxury Tourism in Greece took place in Santorini during weekend 29-30 April 2023.
It was really a great event placed in a conference center on top of Caldera of Santorini, the best viewing place, including the Mega Yachting and cruisers being in service. Additionally, a great number of special guests and very important speakers and panelists attended this Conference.
The Honorary special guest, Mrs. Maye Musk, was invited and spent some time to express her pleasure at being in Greece after many years ago and particularly in Santorini, an exceptional well-known destination.
The Conference included reports on the progress of full luxury tourism with participants from the political scene. The Tourist Ministry representatives were there, Santorini local authorities, and of course professional teams from Hotel business, catering, tour operators, sea tourism operators, special luxury events makers, theme tourism organizations, medical special services providers combined with tourism and many other participants.
The sea tourism being the top priority on luxury yachting and luxury cruising, was also on the top of the list for Santorini during this international conference.
Mr. Theodore Kontes, Honorary President of the Union of Cruise Ship Owners in Greece and Director of MAJESTIC INTERNATIONAL CRUISES INC, referred to the New Luxury cruising brands with small and medium sizes’ luxury cruisers and expedition vessels.
Following is the worldwide luxury cruise market in general with most of such luxury units to include in their programs Mediterranean area having Greece as a priority during the season.
The total luxury cruising trading at this stage is about 78 units up to medium size of about 900 guests.
At the same time, the new luxury brand cruising order book was reported with a total of 29 units under construction in special yards with delivery from now till year 2028. Total ordered budget up to US$12.5 billion but it includes special services on board, as well as improvements in safety, environmental technical specifications, including alternative use of fuels to fulfill the requirements of ZERO carbon emissions controls and many more.
On completion of existing and under construction luxury cruisers, there was also present the luxury future brand unit, which is designed and will be available in year 2100.
On completion of sea tourism and particularly of luxury yachting, the new designed yachts were presented with several technical improved methods mainly on propulsion and the use of fuel cells with methanol and hydrogen focusing on ZERO carbon emissions and other improvements in services and comfort.
In conclusion, Mr. Kontes referred to the cruising performance in Greek destinations for 2022 and expectations for years to follow.
It seems that the luxury cruising with small and medium size cruisers, as well as the luxury Mega Yachts, has a great future to the Greek destinations and has access to call at any size of ports or marinas in the island and main land destinations.
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