Attracting Tourism Investments from the Arab World a Priority for Greece

Strengthening cooperation with the Arab world to attract tourism investments and more tourists to Greece is a priority for the Tourism Ministry, according to Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis.

“The traditionally very good relation that Greece maintains with the Arab world is the foundation for the investment of Arab funds in tourism infrastructure projects,” said Theoharis, speaking on Wednesday during the 5th EU-Arab World Summit, which was held virtually this year.

The minister informed the audience that the Greek government has made significant structural changes to eliminate red tape and has now created an investment-friendly environment in Greece to offer.

Theoharis also noted that Greece, as a pioneer in sustainable tourism development, can share necessary know-how with the Arab world.

“This will strengthen the diversification programs of the Arab economies, which aim to create an alternative and reliable source of income, in the context of the overall strategy to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons,” he said.

Aiming for safe tourism restart in 2021

Photo Source: @EODY

Moreover, the minister made special reference to the planning for the new tourism year, emphasizing that as president of the UNWTO’s Regional Commission for Europe, he is in communication with the European Commission, the World Health Organization and other international bodies for the establishment of common health protocols for travel. “These, combined with the rapid and reliable tests for Covid-19 that are now widely available, will lead to a safe restart of tourism in 2021,” he said.

Theoharis underlined that the ministry’s focus, in both the first and second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, is the safety of visitors and Greek citizens.

“Greece was a safe destination and we are intensifying our efforts so that this continues in 2021,” he said.

On a final note, the tourism minister highlighted Greece’s top performance as a brand for tourism during the difficult year of the pandemic.

The country was recently ranked as the fifth best tourism brand in 2020, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos that evaluates the perceptions of consumers in 50 countries.

“Greece has one of the strongest brands internationally in tourism. We have proved that nothing is impossible and we are working so that the reputation and the brand of our tourism remain strong next year as well,” Theoharis concluded.