Greece, currently ranking as the third most popular cruising destination in Europe, is expected to gain significantly from the further development of the global sea cruise industry, as needed reforms on the country's port infrastructure proceed, Greek officials and international representatives of the sector said on Tuesday.

Today Greece receives about 600 million euros (771.3 million U.S. dollars) out of a total of some 15 billion euro revenues raised annually across European cruising destinations mainly due to shortcomings in home porting capabilities, since only nine of its 57 ports can host cruise liners, according to data presented during the second Posidonia Sea Tourism forum held in Athens.

This share could grow up to 2 billion euros per year, creating tens of thousands of new job positions, as the Greek government proceeds with the implementation of necessary improvements, according to estimates.

"Greece has many competitive advantages as a tourism destination. The government continues to evolve the legislation framework in regards to sea tourism activities including the law for the lifting of cabotage," Greek Shipping Minister Costis Moussouroulis said during the event, referring to planned reform to allow the deployment of non EU flag vessels for home porting in Greek destinations.

Representatives of cruise industry giants, such as Giora Israel, Vice President of Carnival Corporation, praised the changes as steps in the right direction, forecasting positive results for Greece in the future.

A few hours earlier, Moussouroulis inaugurated a new second international sea cruise passenger terminal at the port of Piraeus, the largest passenger port in Greece and Europe.

More and more sea cruise operators are choosing Greece after rating the country's services on credibility, quality, cost and speed, he told Greek news agency AMNA.

According to official figures, the number of passengers at Piraeus port grew by some 23 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period last year.

The new passenger terminal in Piraeus port can service up to 25,000 passengers per day and a third one is planned to be inaugurated by the end of this year. (1 euro = 1.28 U.S. dollars) Endi

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