Greece Signs Agreement with Cyprus and Lebanon to Increase Tourist Flows

Cypriot Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis, Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias and Lebanese Tourism Minister Wallid Nasar. Photo source: Greek Tourism Ministry

A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed between Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon on Friday to facilitate and increase tourist flows between the three countries and attract travelers from other markets.

The bilateral agreement was signed at the Greek Tourism Ministry in Athens by Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, Cypriot Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis and Lebanese Tourism Minister Wallid Nasar.

According to a ministry announcement, the memorandum foresees, among other things, institutional synergies and boosting communications between the public and private sectors of the three countries.

Moreover, the three countries will exchange information, know-how and practical experience on the policies and strategies followed in the tourism industry (destination promotion, data and market research, tourism education and training, investment attraction, etc.).

Photo source: Greek Tourism Ministry

Talks between the three ministers focused especially on promoting special interest tourism and specifically the forms of cultural tourism, pilgrimage tourism, gastronomy tourism and health/wellness tourism.

“Given that tourism is an important factor in the economies of the three countries and the seasons in Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon are similar, the MoC ensures close cooperation on issues such as transnational thematic tourism, in order to take advantage of the opportunities provided through special themed experiences and with the aim of tripartitely increasing travel flows,” the ministry’s announcement said.