Greece, Turkey Plan Cooperation On Tourism

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni

The Greek Tourism Ministry will soon set up a tourism information office in Istanbul to attract more Turkish travelers to Greece, it was announced on 7 October.

“Tourism is not only an important source of revenue but also a bridge of cooperation between Greece and Turkey,” Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said after a meeting in Athens with Turkish Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Greece and Turkey on tourism issues.

Turkish Minister for European Affairs, Egemen Bagis

Mrs. Kefalogianni ascertained that Greece intends to upgrade tourism relations with its neighbor Turkey.

She referred to the “good climate” that has developed between the two countries in the tourism sector and added that the development of joint travel packages were in the works.

According to recently announced figures, over 600,000 Turkish tourists traveled to Greece in 2012, while five years ago the figure stood at 180,000.

Last year, some 675,000 Greeks arrived in Turkey for holiday as compared with 280,000 Greeks in 2003.

As for 2013, the tourism minister said a significant increase of tourists from Turkey to Greece has been recorded. Official figures have not yet been announced.

Visa facilitation pilot program

For the past two summer seasons, Greece has launched a visa facilitation pilot program that allows non-European Union citizens from Turkish ports to visit selected Greek islands in the eastern Aegean without a visa from a Greek consulate.

The tourism minister said the pilot program was “successful” and that cooperation in the tourism sector will continue to the benefit of both countries.