SERVICES
Heuristics Consulting & Auditing (HCA) provides specialized auditing and advisory services for the maritime, cruise, and hospitality industries, helping organizations achieve excellence in HSEQ, sustainability, and destination development. We support cruise ports, tourism authorities, and hospitality operators in building safe, compliant, and efficient operations that meet international standards. Through independent audits, performance reviews, and tailored improvement frameworks, HCA enhances operational quality, strengthens environmental responsibility, and drives sustainable growth across every stage of service delivery.
PROJECTS
HCA has led and contributed to high-impact maritime and tourism initiatives across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Our portfolio includes advisory roles in the development of the Brisbane Cruise Terminal in Australia, destination planning for Puerto Limón in Costa Rica, and the establishment of India’s first domestic cruise line from Mumbai. We also support the Saudi Red Sea Authority in designing the regulatory and operational framework for sustainable maritime tourism. Additional work includes newbuild and refurbishment projects for international cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, TUI, and Saga, and strategic consulting for the Kefalonia and Ithaca Port Authority in Greece. Each project reflects HCA’s commitment to integrating safety, quality, and sustainability into commercially viable, destination-enhancing solutions.
CLIENTS
HCA collaborates with a diverse portfolio of clients across the maritime, cruise, and hospitality sectors, including port authorities, tourism boards, government agencies, and cruise operators. Our clients trust us for our independence, technical depth, and operational understanding. We have supported organizations such as the Kefalonia and Ithaca Port Authority, Saudi Red Sea Authority, Celebrity Cruises, TUI, Virgin Voyages, Levante Ferries, and Saga Cruises, as well as destination development bodies in Greece, Costa Rica, India, and Australia. Each partnership reflects our commitment to measurable improvement, sustainable growth, and the advancement of international standards across the global tourism value chain.
ABOUT US
Heuristics Consulting & Auditing (HCA) helps maritime, cruise, and hospitality organizations raise their operational standards through measurable, sustainable improvement.
Founded by Capt. Ilias Stefanatos, a seasoned Cruise Captain and Destination Architect, HCA combines maritime discipline with hospitality excellence to deliver practical solutions in HSEQ, sustainability, destination development, and quality assurance.
Independent, data-driven, and globally experienced, HCA provides clients with the insight, systems, and confidence to achieve compliance, strengthen performance, and create destinations that meet the highest international expectations.
OUR SERVICES
Our Services
Cruise Destination Development
We turn ports into destinations ships want to return to. Our frameworks come from real operational experience, not theory. We balance safety, guest experience, and commercial success, delivering systems teams can use immediately. No unused manuals, no presentations that sit on a shelf, just practical solutions that make the destination smoother, safer, and more memorable.
Maritime Audits
Most audits are written from offices and boardrooms. HCA’s come from the bridge, the pier, and the operation itself. Led by maritime and hospitality professionals, we understand how systems and people actually work, not just how they should look on paper. Our audits are practical, fair, and designed to improve real performance, not create reports no one uses.
Hospitality Assurance
HCA delivers independent quality and operational audits for hotels, resorts, and tourism facilities that want consistent, memorable guest experience. We assess service delivery, safety, hygiene, and staff performance against international standards like ISO, GSTC, and Forbes. Our work reveals gaps, strengthens systems, and ensures the guest experience matches the brand promise, every day, with every guest.
Integrated Approach to HSEQ and Sustainability
HCA bridges areas most treat separately, safety, quality, environment, and service. We build unified strategies that connect them into one clear operational model. The result is smoother coordination, certification readiness, stronger performance, and improved market reputation. Destinations and operators grow not just responsibly, but confidently.