Greece – UK Agree to Strengthen Tourism Cooperation

Photo source: British Ambassador to Greece Matthew Lodge with tourism minister Olga Kefalogianni.

Ways to further enhance cooperation in tourism between Greece and the UK topped the agenda of talks this week between Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and UK Ambassador to Greece Matthew Lodge.

The two countries agreed to work together toward the extension of the tourism season, the promotion of new destinations and the increase in tourist flows.

During the meeting, Lodge expressed his gratitude for the timely and effective management of evacuation and repatriation efforts for thousands of UK travelers after the fires  on Rhodes in July.

On her part Kefalogianni expressed her gratitude for the embassy’s airport support during the Rhodes fire crisis, which she said contributed to the “efficient management of the disproportionately large flows of British visitors”.

Tourists on Rhodes.

During the meeting Lodge called on Minister Kefalogianni to move ahead with the text of a relevant agreement in tourism which will lay the foundations for the further development of synergies on all levels.

Tourist flows from the UK to Greece are expected to break all records this year, with estimates placing arrivals to over 4 million. The increase in arrivals from Britain are attributed to the addition of more flights to and from more destinations. In 2022, more than 3 million holidaymakers from the UK visited Greece. The UK has traditionally been one of the country’s key source markets.