IYC’s Global Managing Partner Michel Chryssicopoulos on “Yachting: A New Era” at Reimagine Tourism in Greece 2025
At the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center’s Lighthouse on 18–19 November 2025, industry leaders, policymakers, and global experts gathered for the third edition of Reimagine Tourism in Greece, a high-profile summit focused on sustainable and resilient tourism policy for the country’s future. Powered by Kathimerini, Greece’s leading media organisation, the event brought together heads of state, ministers, and international organisations to debate strategy, infrastructure, and the role of tourism in local economies.
Among the many distinguished participants was Michel Chryssicopoulos, Global Managing Partner at IYC, who took part in the panel entitled “Yachting: A New Era and New Framework For Maritime Tourism.” As the only representative from the yachting sector at the event, Chryssicopoulos' intervention stood out for its data-driven framing of Greece’s yachting economy and for proposing practical policy and operational measures that connect sustainability, local benefit, and long-term competitiveness.
A Global Conference With Local Impact
Reimagine Tourism has become an essential forum for shaping Greece’s tourism roadmap. The summit’s program this year included keynote addresses and high-level interventions from eminent figures, most notably the newly elected Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Greece’s Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni.
Against that backdrop, the yachting panel provided a focused space to examine how maritime tourism and superyacht charters can deliver economic value while meeting evolving regulatory, environmental, and infrastructure requirements.
Drawing from IYC’s proprietary market intelligence, Chryssicopoulos outlined several pillars that characterize the current Greek yachting market and point the way forward:
- Greece’s dominant position in the summer market. Chryssicopoulos highlighted that Greece retains the number-one position globally for the summer season and accounts for roughly 30% of the market during May–October, with a full-year share around 26%. These figures, he noted, reflect both seasonal demand and structural advantages in the Greek offering (island networks, hospitality, and services).
- Growing value despite mixed utilisation. While the number of vessels completing at least one charter rose year-on-year, he explained, the average charter weeks per boat have not risen at the same pace because fleet supply has expanded faster than demand — a trend that requires active policy and commercial responses.
- Shift to larger yachts. Chryssicopoulos pointed to an increase in the share of yachts over 50m — from 16% in 2024 to 19% in 2025 — which has important implications for marina capability, crew supply, and local provisioning value.
- APA and local economic impact. He emphasised the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) as a major direct source of local spending — covering catering, marina fees, transfers, excursions, and crew tips — and underlined that APA-driven procurement injects immediate liquidity into local services and communities.
- Tax and fuel competitiveness. Chryssicopoulos summarized the complex VAT landscape and other levies and contrasted Greece’s position with neighbouring jurisdictions. He also flagged Greece’s duty-free fuel regime for charters as a critical competitive advantage within the EU that attracts professional charter traffic.
Those data points and policy observations formed the basis of his recommendations: invest in marina infrastructure that supports larger vessels; optimise port and agent processes to reduce friction; formalise digital tools for real-time mooring availability and premium booking; and maintain fiscal and fuel incentives that protect Greece’s competitive edge
Chryssicopoulos closed by urging three immediate steps for stakeholders: accelerate marina upgrades (to host more and larger yachts), preserve and clarify fiscal incentives that spur charter activity, and fast-track digital booking platforms for hot spots (Mykonos, Ornos, Alimos). Taken together, these measures will not only consolidate Greece’s market leadership but also spread the benefits of yachting more widely across coastal communities.
IYC’s Leadership Position
Chryssicopoulos framed IYC’s role not only as a market operator but as a partner to the public sector and local stakeholders. IYC’s presence across commercial representation, charter management, and editorial outreach (magazine and video content) positions the firm to translate strategic recommendations into measurable results: optimizing berth utilization, enhancing crew and supplier networks, and helping marinas adopt dynamic pricing and loyalty programs.
By combining on-the-ground intelligence (bookings, APA flows, vessel mix) with policy engagement, and by participating in forums like Reimagine Tourism, IYC shows how brokerage firms can be advocates for sustainable, locally beneficial yachting growth.