The LUXURY TOURISM Conference 2024 took place in the Cyclades Island of Santorini, the number one Greek Destination. The Conference took place at the Nomikos special conference centre at the on top of the Caldera.
It is the second time that this two-day conference took place once again on the Island of Santorini. It was two full days with participants from the luxury hotel branch, luxury cruising, yachting sectors with special VIPs transferred by private planes and many more.
In accordance with the agenda/program below, various Ministers participated, Officials of the tourist industry and local authorities.
Special honored guest was Mr. David Rothschild (British Adventurer and Environmentalist) who performed a discussion with the journalist Mrs. Elli Spyropoulou (organizer), based on “The Climate crisis. Today’s situation and tomorrow’s impact”.
Last year the special honored guest was Mrs. Maye Musk.
Mr. Theodore Kontes presented the Luxury Cruising and Yachting subject and introduced the main luxury cruisers, as well as the expedition vessels. These brands have been considerably developed after the Covid period with a great increase in the new buildings of this size and luxury standards.
Several vessels and new buildings under construction and design for the future are following.
- LUXURY CRUISERS
The luxury cruise vessels are progressively increased, mainly after the COVID period, and in last years it follows up the orderbook, as well as the followed year the numbers of the luxury small or medium sized vessels (including the expedition cruisers) have increased and improved a lot the comfort / services and technical issues, including the environmental better performance.
Sizes up to maximum 999 passengers (SAGA CRUISES) and EXPLORA of 922 passengers (MSC Group) with the majority luxury cruisers up to 500 passengers.
We will also introduce the forecast of the new building luxury cruisers and under design presently for building till 2100, (future design concept).
EXPLORE JOURNEYS
- EXPLORA is positioned as a European luxury brand with luxury European lifestyle brand. European style and European design, craftsmanship and attention to details. Cosmopolitan atmosphere with the goal of making guests feel at home while at sea. Such a brand is planned for long-term growth with continuous improvements.
- Total 6 cruisers including those to be delivered in years 2027-2028
- Last two units were ordered and will run on hydrogen (Zero Carbon)
- Time and space are luxury items for the brand
- The mission of brand is to arrive later, travel slower, stay longer and go deeper
- Offering value for money. They sell the discerning next generation luxury travelers’ journey
- Seeing that come together, be delivered and ultimately exceeding guests’ expectations. Great success
SAGA LUXURY CRUISES
Two medium size new cruisers provided by SAGA CRUISES designed and constructed at a luxury British standard for less than 1000 guests (actually for 999).
Excellent services and comfort to the passengers but also enjoyable accommodation and decent services to the crew. Technical improvements are provided including all latest / future applications required and maintain pure environment control process. Worldwide cruising programs.
SWAN HELLENIC LUXURY
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
- Latest engines generation with catalytic converters and urea injection to reduce NOX
- The hydrodynamics scheme results in at least 20% reduced consumption.
- Heat recovery / optimization and led lighting reduced hotel load by 10%
- Ready to receive plug-in battery pack to 3MW and remain for 6-8 hours in port (emission free). Waterborne (noise free) and sail for 2-3 hours.
- Last generation dynamic positioning system without anchoring.
- POLAR notation PC5 the highest rating for non-icebreaker requirements
- Autonomous mode for 8000 miles or about 40 days
- Safe return to port mode with full redundancy is applied.
- Air conditioning system with UV sanitized technology
RITZ – CARLTON Yacht Collection
- People love it and it fits perfectly in the company,
- New destinations include Miami, East Med, (including Greece) and Baltic,
- Cruise – Yacht portfolio includes Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection with two new units under construction. Delivery in 2024/2025.
- Sailing ships have a totally different atmosphere. Great respect for the environment.
- SEA CLOUD has more or less double capacity with the new SEA CLOUD SPIRIT and is focusing on a push into the North American market.
ORIENT EXPRESS SILENSEAS
ORIENT EXPRESS cruiser is set to sail in 2026, followed by sister-cruiser in 2027.
Chanters de L’ Atlantique is under construction, the largest sailing luxury cruiser, ultra-modern, of 220 mtrs LOA with three massive sails, luxury accommodation with 54 suites of amount 70m².
Advance technological design “Solid Sail”, three rigid sails. Can ensure 100% propulsion in suitable weather. Also, hybrid propulsion system using wind along with LNG, but it can use hydrogen green technology which secures zero carbon emission.
Luxury ambiance in coordination with luxury train ORIENT EXPRESS is prepared for a luxury brand of hospitality.
SCENIC ECLIPSE
- The Scenic Eclipse II’s / NEPTUNE II sister-submarine equipped, was built in USA and complied with Jones Act standards.
- Helicopters and Zodiac equipped to ultra luxury Eclipse for special tours above or below the sea in planet earth.
- Special ultra-luxury pools / SPA area. Great area for health and wellness. Very impressive with such a beautiful outdoor lounge and bar.
- Total capacity: 228 guests
NEXT CENTURY CRUISER DESIGN
- Challenge of a new cruise ship with special formation for the next century,
- Use of LNG and development of hydrogen fuel cells;
- Exterior shape inspired by the Penguin of rocks, especially aerodynamic line,
- Concept “Reverse” –Forecast for a cruise ship of the year 2100,
- Externally equipped with glass front side, green areas and drone landing surfaces
- Use of wave energy through horizontal hull fins, solar cells and fuel and wind energy cells;
- Made from sustainable materials with 90% of the materials being recyclable.
- YACHTING STATUS
Total number of yachts worldwide : 8850 boats of all sizes
Yachts over 35 mtrs: in Greece 490, in Spain 460, in France 480, in Croatia 200, in Italy 620
Total yearly average increase about 7% (2017-2021)
Record sales in 2021: 1220 boats / in 2022 : 1460 boats
These sales refer to new buildings and secondhand sales. Well known yachting shipyards are almost in full orders till 2025, and they receive now orders to be delivered in years 2026-2027 till 2030.
New law in Greece for lifting partly Cabotage restrictions has increased considerably the Greek islands trading. The “e” yachting chartering and control system are applied for easier ops and performance.
Lifting partly cabotage temporary 2021 increase traffic in Greece to get about 24%, France 19% and Italy 17% in Mediterranean operations. We had further improvement in 2022, 2023 and we expect a record year in 2024.
Greece has got a 15500 km coastline and 1200 islands and many more in smaller sizes providing 66 marinas with 14800 berthing areas and 8200 land parking / docking positions, producing euros1.6 billions yearly income.
Additional berthing facilities are required in Greece since presently there is a rate of 0.91 boat/km, with France / Italy / Europe have a rate of 8.9 boat/km, and with Turkey and Croatia to have a rate of 6.5 boat/km .
Additional Marina in ASTIR Vouliagmenis area and other new and expanded / improved Marinas already in place (ops).
There are plans in Greece for new marinas and extra services now. We are expecting 5000 additional berths by 2030.
MODERN YACHTING “THIS IS IT”
LAMBORGHINI of the seas, catamaran style super luxury mega yacht
– It impressed all guests at yacht show in Monaco in September 2023 who were asking “WHAT IS THIS”?
– “THIS IS IT” a floating palace with fantastic design
– The hyper luxury world super yacht costed Euros490 mill.
– Recently it visited Myconos and other Greek islands.
– The curved lines and design with glass transparence concept
– It is the biggest catamaran luxury yacht style, which started cruising in April 2024 in Greek waters, and it is available for charters from Euro450000 till Euro490000 weekly plus the extra operational expenses.
– It was constructed by the Italian Sea Group TECHNOMAR and it was designed by the interior designers Mattia Pizzo and Gian Marco Campanino.
– The glass construction includes 600 sq. mtrs of glass windows and glass profiles. Aluminum was used for main materials and glasses keeping strictly the control of the weights on superstructures.
– The master cabin suite has a 3-meters high atrium and a panoramic veranda, including garden on two decks, which make someone feels that stays in a sea view villa.
– Additional six large guests’ cabins can accommodate 12 passengers with side windows from floor till the ceilings.
– The technical hydrodynamic design gives a great performance and considerably low fuel consumption. It is also fully complied with IMO TIER III by installing SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) and also it reduces NOX.
– Total length 43.5 meters, Beam 14.5 meters, aluminum construction, installation of two MTU 2636 HP engines. Total fuel storage 53000 ltrs and speed 17 knots with maximum 21 knots.
– Great GPA, playroom, pool are also fitted and a 6-meters GASTALDI tender is available
FUTURE ENERGY PROSPECTS IN YACHTING MEGA YACHTING
Additional infrastructure at the Marinas:
- Improvement of electrical installations that will ensure enhanced supplies to vessels with special specifications and insurance conditions.
- Methanol – Hydrogen fuel storage facilities for vessel supply, when required.
- An ideal prerequisite for electricity in green marinas is the installation of Solar Panels, and perhaps wind turbines.
- Relevant plant permits require a long time and high investment costs
- Further development of electrical installations/automation is required, as well as security for these requirements for newbuilding vessels in port.
SOLUTION Α
Use of a hybrid power source.
Production of clean electricity.
Use of fuel cells 50kw – 500kw.
Operation of cells with Methanol (pure alternative).
Simplified storage / easy secure service management.
SOLUTION Β
Alternative with electro-propulsion and production of electricity from motors with use of hydrogen with onboard production (in the future) from sea water in distillation and splitting.
Installation of Solar Panels for extra energy.
Installation of battery packs for energy storage.
