Five Senses Consulting & Development, in collaboration with NextPlus and EXANTAS, the Institute of the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), delivered a two-day Cruise Destination Development Seminar in Thessaloniki, Greece, focusing on the strategic, operational and regulatory dimensions of cruise port and destination development.
The seminar was hosted at the Port of Thessaloniki and marked the first initiative of its kind in Greece, dedicated exclusively to cruise destination strategy and implementation. It brought together port representatives and stakeholders from ports across Greece, creating a national forum for knowledge exchange and professional dialogue on cruise development.
Day 1 focused on cruise market dynamics and decision-making processes, including cruise line strategy, itinerary planning, port value, readiness assessment, and the use of SWOT and Trend Analysis as foundations for cruise development strategy. The programme combined interactive exercises, open discussion and real-world examples reflecting how cruise lines evaluate ports and destinations.
Day 2 shifted the discussion from strategy to implementation and compliance. Participants focused on port evaluation and improvement processes, the retraining and application of the ISPS Code, as well as the new European Union Schengen regulations and their operational impact on cruise activity.
The programme was highly interactive, combining practical exercises, expert discussions and applied industry knowledge. The seminar was delivered by Ioannis Bras, CEO of Five Senses Consulting, and Kostas Kavdas (NextPlus), both bringing extensive international experience in cruise port and destination development.
The seminar highlighted the importance of structured strategy, operational readiness and regulatory compliance in strengthening the competitiveness of Mediterranean cruise ports and destinations. Interest has already been expressed for a future second edition of the programme.
