ECONOMY

Cruise ship market stable so far in 2015

Cruise ship  market stable  so far in 2015

The cruise market remained stable in Greece this summer despite the difficult economic and political situation, according to the country’s Association of Cruise Ship Owners and Marine Agencies (EEKFN). The association estimates that if current conditions prevail, the cruise market will remain stable and grow from summer 2016 onward.

In its analysis, EEKFN stressed that the start of the summer season did not see heavy losses while significant ground was not lost as had initially been forecast, despite the political instability and the imposition of capital controls.

In this context, in order to extend the cruise period beyond a few months and to further develop the industry, EEKFN points out that an adequate and appropriate port policy is required to ensure competitiveness with ports in neighboring countries.

Less bureaucracy and simplified surveillance procedures of ships and travel documents are also mentioned as critical points, as well as a review of visas for visitors from non-Schengen countries. The association expressed the need for a rapid stabilization of the situation in Greece to ensure a successful second half of the current season.

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