Due to the pandemic, ferry and commercial yacht voyages between the Aegean coast and the Greek Islands, which have not been possible for two years, have been allowed.
Ferry services between the Aegean coast and the Greek islands, which were stopped due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, are restarting after two years.
As of February 7, 2022, with the decision to open the sea border gates to sea tourism, Greece ended the restrictions applied to the ferry lines between Turkey and other commercial and private yachts.
The updated protocol on health practices at the entrances to Greece is expected to be published by the relevant Ministries in the coming days.
In addition, within the scope of commercial and private yacht voyages, up to forty-nine passengers regardless of the flag or carrying capacity of the ship, Greece Kavala, Lesbos, Chios, Vathi and Pythagoreio, Samos, Myrina, Lemnos, Simi, Skala, Patmos, Meis as well as Kos and Rhodes ports allowed to enter.
Travelers traveling with these marine tourism vehicles will show the PCR test performed 72 hours before their entry into Greece or the rapid test performed 24 hours before their arrival, regardless of their nationality, whether they are vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.
Ferry voyages start again after 2 years
Yusuf Öztürk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IMEAK Chamber of Shipping Izmir Branch, stated that both sides of the Aegean are almost walled due to the cessation of ferry voyages for two years, with this decision, sea tourism will start again in the Aegean.
Öztürk pointed out that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, our Chairman of the Board of Directors of IMEAK Chamber of Shipping, Mr. Tamer Kıran, and the Greek authorities have made intense efforts for the resumption of marine tourism vehicles between the two countries for two years. He also thanked those who contributed to this decision.
Öztürk said, “This is our biggest demand at the Turkey-Greece 9th Tourism Forum and 4th Tourism Joint Meeting held in İzmir last November with the participation of Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Greek Tourism Minister Vasilis Kikilyas. It was the resumption of our ferries, which carry close to one million passengers a year between both coasts. During these two years, our ferry members had very difficult times. Finally, we got the result we expected. Especially the traders in the Greek islands are looking forward to the way of Turkish tourists. Both countries will make maximum use of this re-established sea route. The decision to start our ferries, commercial and private yachts in a period when cruise tourism in the Mediterranean is also active will create a great revival in sea tourism in the 2022 tourism season.
