In what marks a significant turning point for the Greek tourism industry, the first cruise ship carrying a group of Chinese tourists is setting sail from Piraeus.

During the four-day cruise around the Aegean, the ship will dock at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Samos, Patmos, Heraklion, and Santorini, carrying more than 200 passengers.

The significance of the event was underlined by the Greek government, tourism professionals and the Chinese shipping giant COSCO, which manages the Port of Piraeus.

“We want to become a bridge linking Chinese tourists to Greece, and welcome more and more Chinese visitors who will enjoy cruise vacations here in Greece with quality service,” said Fu Chengciu, CEO of Pireaus Port Authority, noting that cruises have become extremely popular in recent years.

At least 2,000 Chinese tourists are expected to board the Celestyal Cruises ships this year. The industry goal is for all involved parties to work together to bring more tourists from China and other countries worldwide in a bid to triple the overall one million tourists Piraeus port currently handles per year to three million in the long term.

Tourism is the only lifeline of the Greek economy and tourism industry stakeholders have set their eyes on the rapidly developing Chinese market, hoping to attract more Chinese visitors, seeing them as a valuable addition to the millions of tourists already choosing Greece as a holiday destination.