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Leading Cruise Industry Event to Address Over-Tourism and Explore New Mediterranean Destinations, with Global Industry Leaders Set to Convene in Crete The city of Heraklion will host the 8th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum next May, as the organizers of the East Med’s most important cruise conference, with the support of the Region of Crete and the Heraklion Port Authority and in collaboration with local authorities, prepare to bring this CONFEX event to the country’s largest island for the first time. 2025’s Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF) will be held at the Creta Maris Resort Hotel, located in close proximity to Crete’s capital. Heraklion port is expected to see a 20% increase in cruise passenger numbers this year with an equally busy season expected in 2025. With Piraeus, Santorini and Mykonos accounting for nearly 60% of all cruise activity in Greece, and many destinations in the Mediterranean calling for and some already adopting measures to limit over-tourism in popular destinations, the PSTF 2025’s theme, “The Med: A Compelling Need for New Marquee Ports & Destinations” couldn’t be more topical. The event will bring global cruise industry decision-makers and industry organizations like Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and MedCruise, in touch with East Med’s stakeholders, to explore solutions and create new exciting itineraries going forward. Alleviating pressure on overcrowded ports of call, exploring the potential of lesser-known and visited destinations for inclusion in cruise itineraries, and fostering dialogue on sustainable tourism practices are among the key themes to be tabled at the Forum and discussed with cruise executives who have extensive knowledge and operational knowhow of the Mediterranean. “Topics to be discussed during the two-day conference will include sustainability, marketing and tourism product delivery, guest immersion and satisfaction, overcrowding, new destination entries, port infrastructure, green initiatives and solutions, effective berth allocation solutions, and daily caps on arrivals,” said Theodore Vokos, Managing Director of Posidonia Exhibitions S.A. In parallel to the thought-provoking panel discussions, the exhibition will feature and promote new and emerging cruise destinations, ports and related infrastructure, cruise companies, travel agencies, tourism consultants and cruise ship suppliers amongst others. The event’s exhibition floor will serve as the platform for the region’s destinations and stakeholders to meet with itinerary and excursion planners, while new port investments and other infrastructure projects, such as the new Heraklion Airport, currently in full swing will be showcased to the cruise industry. Vokos added: “At the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, cruise executives and key stakeholders will have the opportunity to examine ways to secure a sustainable future for ultra-popular destinations, as well as seek a cooperative approach towards introducing cruise passengers to new or emerging ports of call with marquee potential.” The Regional Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis said: “The Region of Crete actively supports the Posidonia Tourism Sea Forum for the cruise sector, which will be held for the first time in Crete. The presence of numerous cruise lines, specialized tourism agencies and organizations from around the world at the Forum poses a significant opportunity for the continued growth of cruising on the island, which will contribute to reducing seasonality and enhancing Crete's tourism products. It also showcases the island's rich historical, cultural, and environmental assets to visitors from across the globe. It is with great joy and high expectations that we are preparing to host the forum, organized by the organizers of Posidonia, the most important maritime exhibition in the world. The selection of Heraklion was made in the context of the strategic choice of the Region of Crete for a strong, extrovert, sustainable and competitive tourism sector in Crete.” Welcoming the selection of Heraklion for the 2025 Forum , Minas Papadakis, CEO, Heraklion Port Authority, Diamond sponsor of the event, noted: “We are excited to announce that the Heraklion Port Authority, with the support of the Prefecture of Crete, will be hosting the 8 th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum 2025 in Heraklion. As we prepare for this prestigious event, we look forward to showcasing our port’s strategic capabilities and our commitment to sustainability and maritime innovation. The forum will offer a unique platform for fostering global partnerships and engaging in forward-thinking discussions that will shape the future of sea tourism. We look forward to welcoming the cruise industry to Heraklion to an event filled with valuable insights and collaboration.” Significantly important for any port city is the economic impact of cruise activity for the local economy.  One such port is Heraklion, where the direct economic impact of the cruising sector brought in €36.05 million to the local economy in the 12-month period ending May 2024, according to a University of Piraeus study. According to the same study, 72% of cruise passengers who visited Heraklion would recommend it to friends and relatives as a destination of choice for holidays, with 29.1% saying that they would themselves revisit the city as conventional tourists. During the 13 years since the Forum’s inception, Heraklion will become only the second city, outside Athens, to host the event following the successful 2023 event in Thessaloniki. Heraklion Port, its vibrant city and the Region of Crete are excited to welcome delegates and exhibitors to the May 6-7 Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum. Sponsors for the 2025 PSTF include: Diamond sponsor - Heraklion Port Authority, Gold sponsor - ODAP (Hellenic Organisation of Cultural Resources Development), Bronze sponsor - Kyvernitis Travel Group, Sponsor – Thessaloniki Port Authority and is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy and the Ministry of Tourism, and is supported by the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MedCruise) and the Union of Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members of Greece. For additional information, Press inquiries should be directed to: Artemis Vamvakopoulou, Posidonia Press Officer, EXTROVERT | Business Communications Tel: +30 210 6724265, Email: posidoniapress@extrovert.gr Maria Photou, Marketing & Events Coordinator, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A. Tel: +30 210 4283608, Email: mphotou@posidonia-events.com ...Read more

Today, Digital Twin applications are widely used across various industries. Digital Twin solutions enable various enterprises to quickly find opportunities for innovation and improve business processes and performance by providing precise virtual representations of things and simulations of operational processes. A Digital Twin application combines four technologies that enable the creation of a digital representation, the collection and storage of real-time data, and the provision of valuable insights based on the gathered data. Internet of Things (IoT), Extended Reality (XR), Cloud, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are all examples of Digital Twin technologies. Depending on the application, a given technology can be used to a greater or lesser extent. IoT is the primary technology used in all Digital Twin applications. The IoT is built on collecting data from physical things via sensors. These data are then utilized to generate a digital representation of the actual thing that may be studied, modified, and optimized. As a result, the IoT's value creation is determined by the flow of information through a system. IoT enables Digital Twin applications to maintain a continuous connection between a virtual representation and a physical object in real-time. XR is a technique for visualizing items that generate digital representations of them. XR features enable Digital Twins to digitally model and interact with tangible objects. Cloud computing technology is used to store and access data efficiently over the Internet. Due to the high volume of data generated by Digital Twin applications, cloud computing enables the storage of all data in a virtual cloud and easy access to essential information from any location. AI is a sophisticated analytical tool that automatically analyzes acquired data and provides insightful information. Additionally, it can forecast alternative outcomes and recommend how to avoid potential difficulties. Digital Twin Applications in Manufacturing Digital Twin for Engineering Before creating a complex physical product, digital twin technology develops a virtual model of it that can be tested and enhanced virtually. Businesses can use digital twins to mimic and validate each stage of development to discover issues and potential failures before manufacturing the final product. Twin Engineering enables development teams to comprehend the influence of future manufacturing process changes on production outcomes and alter manufacturing operations accordingly to accomplish targeted improvements. As a result, manufacturers can improve operational processes and lower total engineering costs. Digital Twin for Design Customization As consumers become more intelligent, requiring personalized items promptly, the manufacturing industry becomes increasingly competitive. According to an IndustryWeek Special Research Report on the future of manufacturing, industrial enterprises of all sizes place a premium on process improvement and customer relationship strengthening. At the same time, small businesses focus on addressing customer demand for product customization. To assist the customization process, manufacturers use Twin Design Customization, which enables virtual design and re-design of goods before generating a physical product that fully meets consumer specifications.   See Also :   Digital Transformation solutions Companies ...Read more

As brands and developers continuously innovate within the AR and VR spaces, the gap between virtual and real-life shopping experiences is expected to close. Though current VTO technology entertains and engages, there remains room for improvement in delivering a truly realistic and utilitarian shopping experience. The digital era has ushered in a revolutionary shopping experience allowing consumers to virtually try on everything from sneakers and sunglasses to makeup and formal attire, all from the comfort of their homes. Through various apps and websites, Virtual Try-On (VTO) technology has seen a significant boom, especially during the pandemic when in-person shopping faced numerous restrictions. As the world moves forward, retailers are increasingly investing in these virtual experiences, hoping to drive their revenue growth. The Rising Necessity for Virtual Solution Recent research highlights a common issue in the online shopping journey; about 55% of customers have returned apparel due to it looking different in real life than expected. Additionally, 42% of shoppers feel that the images of models do not accurately represent them. Amidst these concerns, VTO technology emerged as a beacon of hope, promising to offer a more personalized and accurate shopping experience for consumers. This not only caters to the shoppers' desire for a non-pressurized shopping environment but also benefits retailers by reducing returns, increasing customer engagement, and potentially boosting sales, especially among the Gen-Z and millennial demographics. The Evolution of VTO Technology Initially, Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR and AR) based VTO solutions were somewhat primitive, characterized by their slow, clunky, and glitchy interfaces. This provided an experience far from the seamless shopping consumers craved, reminiscent more of video game customization than luxury retail shopping. However, with the rapid advancements in AI technology, these virtual experiences have drastically improved. The AR and VR market is poised for significant growth, projected to increase from $25.1 billion in 2023 to $71.2 billion by 2028, indicating a bullish outlook for VTO technology. From High Fashion to Casual Wear: Virtual Try-On for Every Style Luxury brands have embraced Snap's Lens capabilities, allowing consumers to virtually sample a wide range of products. This technology has become incredibly user-friendly, reminiscent of the ease with which users once adorned themselves with whimsical Snapchat filters. By simply creating an account, users can explore a vast selection of designer virtual try-on options, diving deep into the digital fashion world. However, while entertaining, this technology currently serves more as a novelty than a practical shopping tool. Many users report that while having fun trying on various items, the experience lacks the realism to adequately gauge how the items would truly look on them in person. The Future of Retail and Consumer Expectations As brands and developers continuously innovate within the AR and VR spaces, the gap between virtual and real-life shopping experiences is expected to close. Though current VTO technology entertains and engages, there remains room for improvement in delivering a truly realistic and utilitarian shopping experience. As the technology evolves, the future of online shopping appears promising, with potential to not only entertain but also to accurately reflect how products fit and look, ultimately driving consumers closer to making confident online purchases.   ...Read more