Greece and UNWTO Sign Agreement for Int’l Meeting on Silk Road Tourism in Thessaloniki

The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has signed an agreement with the Greek government to co-organize the 8th International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism, which is to take place in October in Thessaloniki.

The agreement was signed between Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili on the sidelines of the 108th session of the UNWTO Executive Council in San Sebastián, Spain. Greece is an elected member to the UNWTO’s Executive Council for the period 2018-2021 and is participating in a session for the first time since the organization was founded.

During the signing, Minister Kountoura referred to the close cooperation that Greece and tourism ministry have established with the UNWTO to promote programs, actions and initiatives that promote sustainable tourism development.

The tourism ministry had supported the bid for Greece to organize the UNWTO’s 8th International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism. The event will take place on October 9-12.

Held for the first time in a European country, the meeting is co-organized by the UNWTO, the tourism ministry and the Region of Central Macedonia with the support of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and local bodies.

The UNWTO Silk Road Program is a collaborative initiative designed to enhance sustainable tourism development along the historic Silk Road route. It aims to maximize the benefits of tourism development for local Silk Road communities, while stimulating investment and promoting the conservation of the route’s natural and cultural heritage. Additionally, it is working to foster greater co- operation between Silk Road countries and regions, with the established aim of creating a seamless and memorable Silk Road travel experience.