Further development of the cruise shipping industry in Greece
30.6.2015
Question for written answer E-010559-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Elissavet Vozemberg (PPE)
Both in Greece and the rest of Europe, cruises form a dynamic part of the tourism industry, generating significant and multifaceted economic benefits. Even though Greece remains the third most popular cruise destination in Europe, its popularity started to decline in 2011; this trend culminated last year when it lost 500 000 cruise passengers and forecasts for 2015 are not very optimistic. The logical consequence of this situation has been a decline in revenues in this sector during a period of critical importance for Greece.
Given that shipping and particularly the cruise industry are the ‘heavy’ industry of the countries of southern Europe, especially in Greece, will the Commission say:
- —What policies can the EU deploy to boost the cruise sector, particularly in Member States affected by the economic crisis, in order to reverse this situation and attract more passengers?
- —What infrastructure projects should, in its view, be undertaken in Greece to support the industry?
- —Will it implement a strategic plan for the cruise industry to further develop the sector at European level?