The yachting industry is a key enabler and important revenue generator for Greece and Eastern Mediterranean economies according to Greek and international experts who will participate in the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum scheduled for 21-22 June in Athens. The Posidonia Forum will examine the growth potential for the Cruise, Yachting and Passenger shipping industries in the region. As ‘yachting economics’ take centre stage in a sea region blessed with the natural beauty and weather conditions which are conducive to the growth of yachting, competition in the hotly contested sector between neighboring sea tourism destinations has intensified. In Greece, demand for yachting activities has waned hit by unimaginative bureaucratic government measures and overall dwindling inbound tourism volumes, as well as increased competition posed by nearby destinations that have given birth to new, ambitious and cost efficient yachting experiences. Experts agree that the sustainable development of yachting activity can have a game-changing impact on local economies through creation of new jobs across a number of sectors such as sports, education, commerce, food and beverage. “With its endless coastline, thousands of islands and long summer Greece is an ideal destination for yachting, a sector which in Catalonia, for example, generates nine jobs for every one marina worker. In Barcelona, for every 100 berths the local economy generates 4.4 workers in marinas and 40 workers in other sectors,” said Mr Oscar Siches, Partner and Manager of Pantalan del Mediterraneo marina in Mallorca & member of ICOMIA Marinas Group, who will be joining the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum this summer. "A study made by the Spanish Federation of Tourist Harbors in 2010 shows that a yachting tourist who spends €100 in a Catalonian marina also spends 450 more Euros in the local economy,” he added. “It is interesting to note that a normal tourist spends €59.50 per day in Balearics, while a nautical tourist spends €111.50 per day.” “Overall, the economical impact of nautical activity in Catalonia sums up approx. 480 million Euros, out of which €196.8 million for nautical services, €99.6 million for the nautical industry, €87 million for marinas and €37.1 million for the Food & Beverage Industries. Another positive impact of marinas is that every €1 of foreign direct investment generates €1.5 direct annual business and €6.84 indirect economical activity. “ But new marina development alone will not be enough for the region to attract more yachting business. Standardization of marina facilities for boat owners is an important step to the right direction for the yachting industry, as is the quality improvement of the surrounding infrastructure and services, competitiveness of the overall tourist product, effective marketing and seamless cooperation with local authorities. Tony Rice, Secretary General of ICOMIA, the international trade association for the recreational marine industry, believes that local legislation needs to be streamlined and move ahead with the times to empower the growth of the yachting sector: “In some cases certain legislation existing on local level can hamper the development of the sector and we would recommend removing legislation and taxes that adversely affect the use of recreational craft, marine, tourism and marinas and boat related infrastructure in emerging destinations.” The industry has also introduced international schemes that benchmark marina infrastructure in its attempt to upgrade overall standards, improve service quality and product offering, guarantee safety and encourage innovation. In this regard the Gold Anchor Award Scheme will be presented at the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum. Turkey has already 10 marinas qualified under the Gold Anchor Award Scheme, showing the way ahead for the region’s industry. Representatives from Turkish marinas will present their success story at the Posidonia Forum, highlighting the importance of marinas for local economies. “As Greece saw a big drop in demand for yachting services and products in 2009 compared with the 2006 - 2008 period, the region’s emerging sea tourism destinations are vying to find their place on the map of yachting. New marinas in Montenegro, Croatia and Turkey are ready to capitalize on a potential pent up demand that can be triggered by improving economic conditions in key European tourism feeder markets,” said Theodore Vokos, Project Manager, Posidonia Events, the organiser of Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum. “And as our country is today, more than ever, in great need to stimulate growth and create new jobs, it is imperative that we look inwardly to assess our assets and leverage them in efficient and productive ways,” said Vokos. The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum is organised under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Islands and Fisheries, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners’ Association and is supported by MedCruise. The Posidonia Forum is sponsored by the Piraeus Port Authority, the Athenaeum Intercontinental Athens and Louis Cruises. by Kari Reinikainen source: Cruise Business Online | 
