Sustainable cruise tourism in Greece : challenges and practical approaches, a case study of Heraklion cruise port
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Keywords
Cruise tourism ; Sustainable cruise ports ; Port of Heraklion ; Blue economyAbstract
The cruise industry has experienced significant growth over recent decades, reaching
34.6 million passengers globally in 2024 and reinforcing its role as a major component
of international tourism. Within this context, Greece has emerged as a leading cruise
destination in the Mediterranean, attracting approximately 7 million cruise passengers
annually, while facing increasing environmental and social pressures on coastal
destinations.
This thesis examines the sustainability dimensions of cruise tourism in Greece through
a qualitative case study of the Port of Heraklion, a medium-sized island port in the
Eastern Mediterranean experiencing rapid cruise growth. The analysis is based on
secondary source data from port authority reports, academic literature, and policy
documents produced at national, European, and international levels.
The findings indicate that cruise tourism contributes significantly to Heraklion’s local
economy, particularly through passenger expenditure and the port’s growing role as a
homeport. At the same time, cruise activity is associated with environmental and social
challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, urban congestion, pressure on cultural
heritage sites, and risks to sensitive marine ecosystems. The thesis concludes by
proposing practical, context-specific approaches to support more sustainable cruise port
operations through coordinated stakeholder action.