The Port of Heraklion recorded a significant increase in cruise traffic between January and September 2024, strengthening its position as a leading Mediterranean destination.
Specifically, the port welcomed 422,996 passengers, registering an increase of 53.83% compared to the corresponding period of 2023, while the number of cruise ships increased by 16.20%, reaching 208 ships.
At the same time, a notable increase in homeporting activities was observed. During the first 9 months of 2024, a total of 26 cruise ships chose the Port of Heraklion as their embarkation and disembarkation port, confirming its growing importance as a strategic port in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In total, 54 thousand passengers embarked at the port, while 49 thousand disembarked, reinforcing the port’s role as a hub for round-trip cruise itineraries.
It is noteworthy that, for the third consecutive month, the increase in passenger traffic exceeded 80%, demonstrating the constant growth trend of the Port of Heraklion and the high demand from international cruise passengers.
Nationalities
Passengers who visited the Port of Heraklion are of different nationalities:
- Germany:26.43%
- USA: 18.19%
- United Kingdom: 13.79%
- Spain:7.05%
- ITaly:6.72%
The CEO of the Heraklion Port Organization, Minas Papadakis, in his statement said that “the success of the Port of Heraklion is based on the balance between tourism development and environmental protection. Based on innovative initiatives and investments, we aim to create a port that promotes sustainability and offers high-quality experiences to our visitors.
The Port of Heraklion remains committed to the continuous improvement of its services and the adoption of green initiatives, contributing to both the local economy and the protection of the environment.”
