Greece and Turkey Agree to Cooperate in Tourism

Turkish Culture Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias. Photo source: @Mehmet Nuri Ersoy

Greece and neighbor Turkey agreed to cooperate on issues of tourism after the two countries signed a Memorandum of Cooperation during a trip to Izmir this week by Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias for the 4th Session of the Joint Tourism Committee and the 9th Greek-Turkish Forum on Tourism.

“We live in sensitive times, sometimes difficult but we must all agree that tourism and travel is the context in which we can and will be able to work even better and to cooperate,” said Kikilias addressing the Joint Tourism Committee and the Forum on Tourism last held in Athens in 2011.

Photo source: @Mehmet Nuri Ersoy

Kikilias said ministry priorities included ensuring coastal shipping connectivity for more cities and islands and facilitating travel between the two countries.

Turkey’s Culture Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy agreed that cooperation in the area of tourism between Greece and Turkey would contribute positively to improved relations. 

Ersoy went on to add that a temporary visa issued by Greece to inbound tourists from Turkey would simplify travel to the Greek islands and called for more ferry and airline connections between the two countries. He went on to add that joint initiatives and combined tourism products in cruise travel would also be to the benefit of both countries.

Kikilias led a delegation of tourism and hospitality executives and decision-makers to Turkey.