Shipping lifts Greece’s confidence
Shipping lifts Greece’s confidence
through ship-owners’ increased spending
combined with the expected international visitors’ influx
for Posidonia 2010
22/4/2010
A recent spate of new ship building orders by Greek ship-owners worth an estimated Euro 750 million has coincided with the findings of an international report which indicates that market confidence in the global freight market is at a 15-month high. This double boost signals a cause for optimism for the Greek economy as the country gets ready to welcome a windfall of nearly Euro 50 million linked to the projected revenue to be generated by the 10,000 international visitors who will attend this year’s Posidonia shipping exhibition.
The world’s most prestigious shipping trade event held in Greece every two years provides a significant slice of the country’s Meetings Incentives Conferences Exhibitions (MICE) sector. The organizers say that this year’s show will break any previous record with a sold out floor space of more than 30,000 square metres. To be held from June 7 – 11 at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre (HEC), Posidonia 2010 will attract nearly 1,800 exhibitors from 86 countries and will be visited by more than 17,000 Greek and foreign industry professionals and government officials.
“Apart from the obvious benefits to the Greek shipping industry in terms of business development, international exposure and networking, Posidonia is a major revenue stream for the tourism industry and related sectors.
“With an average stay of four nights per visitor and an average spend of Euro 200 per night, each of the expected 10,000 international business travelers who will join us at the event will spend roughly Euro 1,500 per stay. That’s Euro 15 million going to SME businesses, taxis, retail outlets in
Athens and the immediate vicinity excluding additional revenues generated by those visitors who extend their stay for a few days to enjoy short breaks on the Aegean islands,” he said.
Visitors and exhibitors will also benefit from the week-long Posidonia sports festival which this year will see the 5th anniversary edition of the Lloyds Register-sponsored Posidonia Sailing Cup, the 2nd Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament sponsored by Castrol Marine and the eagerly awaited inaugural Golfplay Tournament. The Golf Tournament, to take place at the Glyfada Golf Course, is a new event in the Posidonia programme, as it has been a long-standing request of the exhibition participants.
Posidonia 2010 is sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, the Municipality of Piraeus, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee, the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association, the Association of Greek Passenger Shipping Companies and the Union of Marine Enterprises.
Posidonia Events press release