As Marie-Caroline Laurent stressed during the talks: \u201cThe support shown by Greece during this period has created a unique momentum to further the country\u2019s position on the cruise map, as well as the cruise industry\u2019s contribution to the Greek tourism economy.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We welcome working with the Government to help realize this potential, including development of port infrastructure to stimulate homeporting, smooth port operations, and careful planning and management of developed and upcoming ports and destinations.\u201d <\/em>She added: \u201cWe are grateful for our cooperation with both Ministries and highly appreciate their recognition of the important role of cruise tourism. Greece has set the example for how to implement protocols effectively for the safe enjoyment of cruises.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Maria Deligianni, National Director for Eastern Mediterranean, added: \u201cGreece played an instrumental role in cruise resumption making it one of the first countries globally to welcome cruise ships and put people back to work. Cruise operations started from the very first day that tourism activities re-opened on May 14 until late December. Of 30 CLIA<\/a> member cruise ships sailing in Greece this year, 23 ships homeported here.\u00a0 By the end of the year, we estimate that we will reach 50% of cruise ship calls of 2019 activities. We are even more optimistic for 2022 and we are eager to restart from early March.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Globally, cruise resumption has been a progressive effort putting safety first: 16% of CLIA\u2019s fleet was operating in June and 56% in September, while 80% are projected to be in operation by the end of the year. More than 3 million passengers have sailed since last summer on cruises around the world demonstrating the effectiveness of the protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsible tourism was also an important topic of discussion. CLIA committed to work jointly with the Government on improving port operations and tourism practices of popular cruise ports and tourism destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maria Deligianni stressed that: \u201cA holistic approach is necessary to better manage tourism flows in a country like Greece that receives 33 million tourists each year by air, road and ferry as well as cruise, which accounts for 5 million. Collecting and analysing data will help to identify the real challenges; we are committed to providing research support to pursue this goal and work on effective solutions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ms Laurent also expressed appreciation for the support from the maritime nation of Greece to the shipping community regarding the green transition in maritime transport, stating: \u201cThe availability and supply of alternative marine fuels is critical to our vision of net carbon neutral cruising by 2050. The cruise industry is a leader in supporting the development of green maritime technology, and we welcome the proposal by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the creation of an EU Research Centre for alternative marine fuels and technologies. We hope it receives support by the EU as a concrete project to help achieve the Green Deal objectives\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n CLIA also endorsed the memorandum of cooperation signed between Greece and Turkey last week in the field of tourism, including cruise activity, highlighting the importance of cooperation among neighbouring countries for the uptake of cruising, and thanked the Ministers for the reopening of cruising with the Turkish ports Galata port Istanbul and Kusadasi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meetings came as a follow-up to the meeting between CLIA\u2019s Global Chairman and Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, Mr Pierfrancesco Vago with Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis in June in Maximos Mansion. Marie-Caroline Laurent expressed the Association\u2019s will to continue the close cooperation with the Greek Government to make a positive contribution to the economic recovery with a dynamic resumption in 2022, building upon this year\u2019s positive restart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itnnews.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/CLIA-MEETING-WITH-V.KIKILIAS-1-1024x768.jpg\")
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