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Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea invest in Sea Tourism for the Future
New Event in Greece set to reposition sector as key driver for economic growth in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Posidonia launches Sea Tourism Forum
The potential for sea tourism and its significance as a key factor in the development of the economies of Greece, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea region will be examined in depth during the first Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, scheduled to take place in Greece this summer.
Titled ‘The Challenge for Greece, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea’, the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum will be held 21-22 June 2011 at the brand new Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens.
The focus will be on three key areas of sea tourism:
- Cruise Shipping
- Yachting
- Inter-island and Coastal Shipping
One of the questions we will address during the forum is how the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea can benefit from taking an organised and long-term strategic approach to sea tourism – coordinating these key interrelated areas.
The first day will be dedicated to the cruise industry and its growing importance as a major economic and tourism development player. The Forum will examine in detail how the region can:
- Attract foreign and domestic investment that will serve both the industry and the national economies
- Kick-start joint ventures in its sea tourism infrastructure
- Simplify the legal framework and follow up on recent government initiatives
- Upgrade its services to the industry
- Position itself as a main maritime and cruising hub
Joint marketing activities from both the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea countries to influence cruise itineraries, as well as discussions on how to provide a full range of services and port infrastructure for the cruise industry will also be on the agenda.
On the second day of the Forum, the yachting industry as a key tourism development tool and important revenue generator for Eastern Mediterranean economies takes centre-stage as ‘yachting economics’, including the growing influence of super yachts, comes under the spotlight. Among the issues to be debated are:
- Unification of yachting policies and tax regulations in the Eastern Med and the Black Sea.
- Developing port and marine facilities, and supporting infrastructure.
- Developing quality repair and maintenance facilities in the region.
- Expanding refurbishment capabilities for high end yachting.
- Potential inter-regional synergies, including joint marketing and reciprocal service cooperation.
- Services provided to yachting: What are the weaknesses of the region?
- Mega and super yachts: Is the region ready to welcome them? What needs to be done?
- Providing accurate and up-to-date information on services and marinas to the international customer base.
- Attracting more yachting events to the region, such as high profile regattas, racing, etc.
Also on the second day, inter-island and coastal shipping will be examined as vital tourism development tools for the region.
The inaugural two-day event is expected to attract the attention of the industry’s leaders and stakeholders who will focus on the challenges for sea tourism, investment opportunities in the region, new infrastructure projects and a platform for launching new ideas and ventures.
The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum is organised under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Islands and Fisheries, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE). It is organised by Posidonia Exhibitions S.A. in association with CTM Hellas.
Posidonia Exhibitions S.A. is the organiser of the International Shipping Exhibition Posidonia, the most prestigious shipping event in the maritime industry. Posidonia was established in 1969 and since then has been taking place every two years. Posidonia 2010 was the largest in terms of exhibition space and the most publicized in its 40 year history and it is now the largest trade show in Greece. Posidonia 2010 attracted 1,858 exhibiting companies from 87 countries, out of which 21 participated with national pavilions, and attendance reached 17,385 visitors from 76 countries.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
