- Sitia joined 650 exhibitors and 11,000+ attendees in Miami, Florida (April 13–16).
- The Municipality collaborated with the Municipal Port Fund and the Sitia Development Organization (OAS).
- Port Fund President Manolis Ailamaki and OAS CEO Costa Vasilaki led the delegation.
- Discussions focused on port infrastructure upgrades and Sitia’s cultural appeal.
- The mission aims to establish Sitia as a niche, sustainable cruise destination in the Eastern Mediterranean.
While the global aviation industry grapples with fuel shortages, the maritime world gathered this week under the bright lights of the Miami Beach Convention Center. For the Sitia delegation, the mission at Seatrade Global Cruise 2026 was clear: transform their port into a mandatory stop for the world’s leading cruise lines. Amidst a sea of 128 represented nations, the Cretan municipality pitched itself not just as a dock, but as an experience—an authentic alternative to the overcrowded hubs of the Mediterranean.
Beyond the Concrete: The Sitia Pitch
The delegation, supported by the Region of Crete, brought a narrative of “unspoiled Greece.” Manolis Ailamaki and Costa Vasilaki spent the four-day event in targeted meetings with cruise line executives and port operators. Their focus remained on Sitia’s unique blend of physical geography and historical depth—positioning the local Geopark, the Minoan ruins, and the region’s renowned culinary heritage as the primary draw for a new generation of “experience-seeking” travelers.
Technical data backed the charm of the Lassithi landscape. The delegation presented the current capabilities of Sitia Port, along with ongoing and future upgrade plans. These improvements are designed to ensure the port can meet the logistical demands of modern cruise vessels without sacrificing safety or the quality of the visitor experience. With alternative forms of tourism, Sitia is betting that the future of cruising lies in smaller, high-value destinations rather than massive, industrial-scale ports.
The sheer scale of Seatrade Global—boasting over 75 cruise lines and 10,000 industry professionals—serves as a high-stakes arena for a small municipality. Initial feedback from the Miami summit suggests rising interest in secondary Cretan destinations.
