Ferry services between Thessaloniki and the northern Aegean are lamentable, according to seven in 10 inhabitants of the two regions.

The results of a survey commissioned by Thessaloniki’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggested that eight in 10 professionals active in the tourist industry also think that ferry connections between the city and the islands leave a lot to be desired.

Nine in 10 of the respondents from Thessaloniki have traveled to the islands in question but only a third have sailed from the city’s port. Similarly, the islanders are more likely to sail to Kavala in order to reach Thessaloniki rather than take a ferry directly to the northern port city.

Travel agents said that half of their clients choose to travel to Athens and take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, compared to just 27 percent that board a vessel in Thessaloniki.