Greece and Cyprus boost nautical tourism

The marinas of Ayia Napa, Rhodes, Symi and Kos announced on Monday the establishment of the Eastern Mediterranean Marinas Network (EMMN) to promote nautical tourism in the region.

“The primary goal behind this collaboration is to enhance the services provided to leisure boat owners and further develop nautical tourism across the broader Eastern Mediterranean region,” they announced after the meeting.

The cooperation memorandum was signed at the Ayia Napa marina by representatives from the managing companies of the collaborating marinas.

“The four marinas forming the network will collaborate to achieve optimal promotional policies and create conditions for development and cooperation,” the memorandum said.

“Each marina member of EMMN will participate in activities to promote the development of yachting tourism in the Mediterranean.”

The agreement outlines the commitment to providing high-level services exclusively to the network’s clients across the four member marinas.

“Joint promotional activities such as seminars, exhibitions and events are planned to enhance visibility and offer continuous education on promotion, development, safe management, international practices and technology,” the statement continued.

The members of the network will also exchange ideas on alternative green energy sources to achieve a zero environmental footprint concerning the operations and mooring of vessels.

Stavros Karamondanis, CEO of the Ayia Napa marina, expressed that the signing ceremony marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration focused on strengthening and upgrading nautical tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean. He underlined the historical significance of this partnership between Greece and Cyprus, both having a profound maritime history and tradition.

Karamondanis was echoed by Kostas Fytiris, the director of the marina, who underscored the significance of the collaboration, not just for Cyprus but the broader Eastern Mediterranean.

Representing the Symi marina in Greece, its director Vasileios Politis highlighted the network’s creation within just 30 days, aiming to facilitate collaboration between marinas, considering the influx of Cypriot visitors to Rhodes, Symi and Kos.

Speaking on behalf of the Kos marina, its CEO Antonis Drosos called it “a jewel not only for the Eastern Mediterranean region, as well as a guide for all marinas.”

The announcement said a ceremony in Athens celebrating the establishment of the network is scheduled to take place during the Athens Boat Show between December 6 and 8.