Cruise tourism on Corfu reached a new milestone, welcoming 89,000 passengers from January to April, an increase of 79 percent compared to the 49,667 arrivals during the same period in 2024.
Data released this week by the Corfu Port Authority (CPA), confirmed a dynamic opening to the 2025 cruise season, with significant increases recorded in passenger traffic, cruise ship arrivals, and tourism revenue.
More specifically, 64 cruise ships docked at the port in the first quarter of 2025, up from 36 last year, highlighting Corfu’s growing momentum as one of the top cruise destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The strong start to the 2025 cruise season at the port of Corfu clearly shows that our port continues to earn international trust, while Corfu remains Greece’s most important gateway from the west,” said CPA CEO Spiros Zervopoulos.
Signs point to an extended tourism season
Photo source: Corfu Port Authority (CPA)
The year kicked off with strong momentum, with the first cruise ship arriving in Corfu on January 3, an early sign that the tourism season is starting to expand.
Between May and December, Corfu is expected to welcome 406 cruise ships carrying approximately 745,000 passengers. Of these, 111 cruise calls are scheduled between October and December, bringing more than 180,000 visitors to the port.
According to the Corfu Port Authority, these figures underscore the need to step up efforts to lengthen the tourism season.
Cruise tourism revenue surpasses 190 million euros in 2023–2024
The benefits of cruise tourism for Corfu were further highlighted in the “Assessment of the Social and Economic Impacts of the Port of Corfu”, a study recently presented by the CPA.
According to the findings, total contributions from port operations and cruise-related activity reached 193 million euros during the 2023–2024 period, supporting 1,750 jobs across the island.
Data also shows that Corfu is emerging as a leading port hub in the Adriatic Sea, generating added value for both the local and national economy.
To support this growth, Zervopoulos noted that the CPA is planning infrastructure and service upgrades in anticipation of what is expected to be a record-breaking year, further strengthening the island’s standing in the international tourism and maritime network.
“Through targeted partnerships, infrastructure upgrades, and a strong focus on the passenger experience, we are reinforcing Corfu’s role as a key driver of development and tourism promotion for the wider region, while also boosting the local economy,” he concluded.
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