Taking a deep dive into the future of the yachting industry in Cyprus
Limassol Marina, in collaboration with Dacor Advertising and Media Ltd, has successfully organised the third ‘Limassol Boat Show Conference,’ on 23rd May 2025 at the BSM Marine School at Limassol Marina. With a focus on ‘The Future of the Yachting Industry in Cyprus,’ this year’s conference gathered together industry professionals who participated in panel discussions about the development and expansion of the yachting sector in Cyprus.
Participants and guests were welcomed by Vassilios Demetriades, CSO of UW Group, President of SIBA and former Shipping Deputy Minister, who also served as last year’s conference coordinator. Mr Vassilios presented the results of Limassol Boat Show Conference 2024 to the attendees. His introduction was followed by a presentation of AI technologies by Tally Boats CEO and Founder, Dimitris Rantos.
Four panel discussions were held, focusing on four key areas of the Cyprus yachting industry:
- Panel 1: Yachting and Economic Growth
- Panel 2: Cyprus Marinas: Sustainability, Growth, and Competitiveness
- Panel 3: The Local Yachting Industry & Geopolitical Landscape
- Panel 4: Cyprus as a Crew Academy Hub for the Superyacht Industry
Each panel encouraged meaningful discussions and collaborations, with an eclectic mix of speakers that included maritime professionals, key stakeholders and industry movers and shakers. The first panel was moderated by Vassilios Demetriades. The speakers included Maria Ntouka Montesatou, Managing Director of SOS Yachting Greece, Chris Stokes, CEO and Founder of Project Yachting, and Michalis Grekas, Board Member of KPMG. The second panel discussion was moderated by Limassol Marina’s general manager Nikiforos Pampakas, and included insights by Farah Shamas, Managing Director of St. Raphael Resort & Marina, Marina Mylona, Tourism Officer A, Yianos Nicolaides, Director of Nautimar Marine, and Dr. Nisiforou Olympia, Assistant Professor at the Cyprus University of Technology. Discussing the local yachting industry on the third panel were Daisy Petevi, Operations Director of Helisea, Costas Remes, Managing Partner of Yacht Shore Premium Services Ltd, Dimitris Maroulis, Legal and Sales Representative of Burgess, and Dr. Stelios Himonas, Permanent Secretary of the Shipping Deputy Ministry. The panel was moderated by Julie Chitaeva, Founder and Managing Director of Seanesthisis. Finally, the final panel discussion comprised Marinos Kokkinis, Managing Director of One Learn Group, Nestor Negrin Marquez, Manager MTC-CY of BSM Training Center, and Dr. Angelos Menelaou, Scientific Consultant to the SDM and Associate Professor at Frederick University, and was moderated by Chris Stokes, CEO and Founder of Project Yachting.
Conference attendees came from a wide range of professions, all of which make a meaningful contribution to the expansion, service and support of the superyacht and yachting industry. Panel discussions were of the highest level, asking thoughtful questions and delivering expert opinions and key insights as to how best to grow the yachting industry in Cyprus in a way that is sustainable and competitive, with the aim of solidifying Cyprus’s ever-developing position as a yachting hub that luxury vessels can call home. Participants were left feeling inspired and informed by the panel discussions, commenting on the caliber of speakers and their varied backgrounds, as well as the common desire to ensure that Cyprus’s yachting industry continues to operate to the highest level.
The conference concluded with closing remarks and a networking session during which participants had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation, exchange insights and foster connections within their respective industries.
