Corfu cruise passenger numbers head towards one million in 2026

Cruise tourism in Corfu is expected to reach record levels this year, with cruise ship calls estimated at 550 and passenger numbers approaching one million. The figures were presented by Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs Stefanos Gikas at an MSC Group event held on Wednesday, 21 October, aboard the cruise ship MSC Armonia at the Port of Corfu.

According to the Deputy Minister, 887,260 cruise passengers have visited the island since the beginning of 2026, while revenue from the cruise passenger levy has exceeded €3.6 million. The corresponding figure for 2025, when the levy was introduced on 21 July, had exceeded €1.6 million.

Of particular interest were his comments on revenue allocated to local government. He stated that a total of €1.73 million is due to the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands for the 15-month period during which the levy has been in effect.

Nationwide, Mr Gkikas reported that approximately 6.4 million cruise passengers had been recorded at Greek ports since the beginning of the year, while revenue from the cruise passenger levy was approaching €50 million.

The Deputy Minister stressed the need to upgrade port infrastructure and strengthen cooperation between central government, local authorities and businesses, so that the growth of cruise tourism delivers tangible benefits to local communities.

The event, entitled “Shaping the Future of Cruise Tourism in Greece”, was attended by Fotis Maggos, Secretary General for Aegean and Island Policy; Spyros Vlachopoulos, Mayor of Paxos; Spyros Argyros, Deputy Regional Governor; Kostas Mouzakitis, President of the Corfu Chamber of Commerce; Spyros Chalikopoulos, Deputy Mayor for Tourism; Dimitris Diavatis, Vice-President of AOCTA; Dimitris Apergis, CEO of Corfu Port Authority (OLKE); and Theodora Riga, President of OLKE and MedCruise.

GIORGOS KATSAITIS