Earlier this month, the Region of Crete was represented at the international cruise conference Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 which took place in Miami from 13th to 16th April. One of a series of events, with others planned for the Mediterranean and Asia later this year, the conference was attended by over 12,500 visitors, with 650 exhibitors and 85 cruise brands from 125 different countries. The following press release appeared on the Region of Crete’s website on 20th April.

As co-exhibitor with the Greek National Tourist Organisation (EOT), the Region of Crete has exhibited for the first time at the international cruise conference Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, confirming the strategic importance of cruises and marine tourism for the island and reinforcing its position on the map of world cruise destinations.

Seatrade Cruise Global is one of the biggest and most important conferences in the cruise sector, taking place in the biggest cruise port in the world. The 41st conference brought together officials, ports and providers for networking, presentations and discussions about sector trends.

Cruising is one of the currently developing branches of tourism, which makes a significant contribution to the destinations it serves. Crete has long been a peak destination for cruise companies in the Eastern Mediterranean, thanks to its geographical position, its modern ports, its cultural riches and the opportunities to provide authentic experiences to visitors. Its participation in the conference demonstrated the developmental prospects of the island’s ports and the scope for further increases in passenger movements.

During the conference there were meetings with the representatives of leading cruise companies, port organisations and tourist bodies, with the emphasis on connecting cruises with the authentic experiences of the Cretan interior.

Special interest was shown in cultural excursions, archaeological sites, natural locations, gastronomic experiences and alternative tourism activities which can enrich the cruise package and increase the time and money spent by visitors in the island’s destinations.

The Region of Crete’s presentation at the conference highlighted its strategy for sustainable tourist development, emphasising the quality of services provided and the connection between ports and local communities, reinforcing the island’s profile as a modern, safe and high-quality cruise destination.

The Cretan stand attracted intense interest from visitors, among them the founder and publisher of Hellenic News of America, Paul Kotrotsios, who had a meeting with the Region’s Deputy Governor for Tourism Dr Kyriakos Kostoglou.

The Region was represented by Dr Kostoglou, the head of the Tourism Directorate Nikos Alexakis and the head of the Tourist Section of the Regional Unit of Lasithi Maria Lavdaki.

Assessing the Region’s participation in the event, Dr Kostoglou said:
“Miami and Seatrade, the biggest cruise conference in the world, brought together the ports of Heraklion, Chania and Sitia under the umbrella of Crete as a destination. Especially for Sitia it was a very promising baptism of fire which will produce results, as with the established ports of Chania and Heraklion which exceeded 950,000 passengers in 2025. Cruising represents a very significant dimension of our famous and diverse island, and thus in the coming years will constitute a growth area for Crete, everywhere!”
(www.crete.gov.gr)