The peak season is already on for yachting and the tourists’ traffic is at its high. Why not? Greece has been the favorite place for boating and yachting since decades. With 6000 islands and the 16,000 km long coastline, Greece is a favorable place for tourist’s activities. The crystal clear water, calm nature and its unique natural beauty attracts international sailors to Greece especially between early April and early November.
Yachting and Economy
Tourism has always been a major contributor in Greek economy. As per WTTC, in 2016 tourism has a contribution of 18.6% in the GDP of Greece. By 2026, the number is expected to grow to 22.4%. Yachting tourism on the other hand is contributing 4.5% in GDP, making this an attractive investment sector for people interested in participating in Golden Visa Programme in Greece.
Antonis Stelliatos, Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association president sates that Greece owns about 3,500 charter vessels, which includes sailing yachts, motor yachts and mini cruise ships, with an ability to carry several dozen passengers at a time. As per CLIA, the passangers’ count has increased to 4 million on Greece cruise. The International Council of Marine Industry Associations reports that in 2014, Greece holds 9 th position in the number of leisure boats worldwide.
Greece’s marinas has the capacity to accommodate about thousands of pleasure boats and therefore is worthy of getting special attention. It has everything to support nautical tourism - security services, parking, dry docks, well-equipped moorings, shops, shower areas and restaurants.
A survey held in 2009 by HVS, which says Greece’s registered 24 marinas have ability to accommodate total 8,500 yachts. Plus there is a space in small unofficial docks for 3,000 yachts. As per the Kiriacoulis Mediterranean cruise company, the number grew to 38 marinas having 11,500 mooring by 2017, most located near Athens. Twelve Greek marinas have earned Blue Flag, because of the fact that they met the highest ecological and security standards in terms of purity of water, collection of waste, management, etc.
Some of the famous Yacht service providers are significantly contributing in the growing economy of Greece, such as Dream Yachts, Kiriakoulis Yachts, Istion, Atalanda Marine, Kavas Yachting, Alpha Yachting, Seafarer, Big blue Yachting, Athenian Yachts, Nomicos Yachts, Aris Drivas and Valef Yachts.
There are also other small scale providers like Summer Breeze Yachts doing well and participating in the sector for the bright future of the tourism in Greece since 1989. Though a small player, yet it has broadened its services by offering personalized Athens day cruises, crewed luxury yacht charter and custom made traditional sailing yachts, all with quality and luxury interior. Under small fleet section, a motor yacht is also available for short Greece sailing tours to popular islands such as Mykonos and Hydra.
Certainly, the yachting tourism will grow higher when the country is also working on creating new and advance routes, and has been collaborating actively with neighboring countries, including Egypt.