Ferry services between Greece and Turkey will resume soon as both countries look to boost tourism activity in the region.
The services stopped two years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with tourism between the two countries coming to a halt.
The restriction also applied to private yachts sailing between Turkey’s Aegean coasts and the Greek islands.
“Ferries used to carry nearly 1.5 million people each year on the routes, such as Ayvalık-Lesbos, Çeşme-Chios and Marmaris-Rhodes,” said Yusuf Öztürk, from the Izmir branch of the Chamber of Shipping. “With the resumption of those voyages, tourism activity will revive again.”
Following the resumption of the service, ferries with up to 49 passengers on board can enter 14 Greek ports, including Kavala, Rhodes, Lesvos, Samos, Limnos, Patmos and Kastellorizo.
The number of passengers allowed on each service will increase with time, said Öztürk, who noted that travelers need to provide the results of PCR tests taken within 72 hours and antibody tests.
Öztürk also said ferry services greatly contributed to the local economy and tourism activity, but they came to nearly a complete halt after the pandemic.
Officials from the two countries discussed the resumption of those services at the Turkish-Greek Joint Commission meeting held in the Turkish western province of İzmir in November last year, he said.
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