The Port of Heraklion in Greece has recorded significant growth in cruise traffic during the first nine months of 2024. The port welcomed 422,996 passengers, marking a 53.83% increase compared to the same period in 2023, while the number of cruise ship calls increased by 16.20%, reaching 208 ships.
Moreover, the port has seen an impressive increase in homeporting operations. During the first nine months of 2024, 26 cruise ships selected the port as their homeport.
A total of 54,000 passengers embarked from the port, while 49,000 passengers disembarked.
Notably, for the third consecutive month, the increase in passenger traffic exceeded 80%, further highlighting the steady upward trajectory of the port and the rising demand for the destination among international cruise travellers.
Passengers visiting the Port of Heraklion come from various nationalities, with the most prominent in 2024 being Germany 26.43%, United States 18.19%, United Kingdom 13.79%, Spain 7.05% and Italy 6.72%.
Minas Papadakis, CEO of the Heraklion Port Authority, said: “The success of the Port of Heraklion is based on balancing tourism growth with environmental protection. Through innovative initiatives and investments, we aim to create a port that promotes sustainability and offers high-quality experiences for our visitors.”
