Cruises moved at a record pace in 2024 – The airport played an important role through which 3.4 million passengers have been transported so far
Chania is moving at full speed to achieve the target for twelve months of tourism, as Emmanuel Dukakis, specialist partner for tourism issues in the municipality of Chania, emphasizes to APE.
As he pointed out, the continuous improvement of tourist infrastructure and services, as well as the development of alternative tourism, experiential tourism, which the Municipality of Chania has been trying to coordinate in recent years, make us optimistic about the achievement of the strategic goal of making Chania an attractive destination for all the seasons of time. Specializing in the elements that make the tourist world of Chania happy, Mr. Dukakis underlined that tourism in Chania in 2024 is developing extremely positively, with a significant increase in arrivals, mainly through the airport. Specifically, the passengers who have traveled from the “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” airport between January and September 2024 have reached approximately 3.4 million, marking an increase of 7.9% compared to the corresponding period of 2023.
At the same time, the general climate is optimistic as both private investments and Agency synergies with the aim of promoting the place, will continue and increase based on planning, maintaining and increasing the dynamics of the tourist asset. Mr. Dukakis made a special mention of the cruise stating that this year is a record year for the destination, since the scheduled arrivals of cruise ships already exceed 120, an increased number compared to last year. In fact, the planned itineraries for 2025 also portend another excellent year on this front as well.
In the meantime, Chania is becoming a pole of attraction for special audiences, such as digital nomads. “Digital nomads’ interest in Chania has intensified. Many choose Chania for the quality of life and the excellent climate, combined with the fact that Chania offers the appropriate infrastructure, with good internet connections and hosting services – work hubs that operate all year round,” explains Mr. Dukakis. At the same time, Chania has become a popular destination for couples from abroad who want to have their wedding there. Especially the old port of Chania, with the emblematic Lighthouse and Chania in general combine the traditional Cretan atmosphere with the natural beauty of the place, making them an ideal destination for weddings, always with what Mr. Dukakis emphasizes.
Regarding the voices in favor of tourism, the special partner for tourism issues states that tourism development has clearly created pressures on the local infrastructure, the environment and the quality of life of the residents. In fact, he adds that it is something for which actions and actions are planned and implemented at all levels (studies and interventions on coastal erosion, the strength of infrastructure, the management of water and other natural resources, etc.). The purpose is the sustainability of the tourist asset through the protection of the local natural and man-made environment, he adds, among other things.
