Tourism Among Key Areas of Greece-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership

The Greek delegation, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in Saudi Arabia for the inaugural High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in Al Ula.

Tourism is emerging as a key area of cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia, following the inaugural High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) held in Al Ula on Monday.

The historic meeting marked Greece’s first-ever HLSCC with a Middle Eastern nation, underscoring the strategic importance of this bilateral relationship.

The council, co-chaired by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, brought together seven sector-specific committees focused on Politics, Security and Defence, Investment and Trade, Energy, Tourism, Culture, and Sports. The committees aimed to develop initiatives that strengthen ties and enhance collaboration between the two nations.

A focus on tourism

The inaugural meeting of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Greece and Saudi Arabia.

Within the Tourism Committee, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and her Saudi counterpart, Ahmed Al Khateeb, agreed on the significance of strengthening bilateral relations in the tourism sector and increasing awareness of both countries as premier travel destinations. The council approved a set of initiatives under the Joint Action Plan (2024–2026), signed in June, which includes:

– Organizing a 2025 workshop for travel agents from both countries to foster collaboration.
– Exploring the possibility of a joint advertising campaign by airlines to boost tourism demand.
– Establishing a placement program for hotel staff to exchange expertise and practices.

According to the Greek Tourism Ministry, the initiatives are expected to act as a springboard for deepening tourism relations between the two nations, providing a significant impetus to their overall bilateral cooperation.

A history of strengthening tourism ties

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and her Saudi counterpart, Ahmed Al Khateeb.

Tourism cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia has grown significantly in recent years.

Last June, on the sidelines of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UN Tourism) Executive Council meeting in Barcelona, ministers Kefalogianni and Ahmed Al Khateeb signed a bilateral Joint Action Plan for 2024–2026. The agreement highlights sustainable and green tourism, tourism education, digitalization, special forms of tourism, investment promotion, and enhanced air connectivity.

Broader implications of the HLSCC

While tourism was a key focus, the HLSCC also highlighted collaboration in other areas such as energy, investment, and culture.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of Greece’s strategic position as a gateway between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud stressed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering stability and prosperity in the region.

The establishment of the HLSCC and its outcomes mark a significant step forward in Greece-Saudi Arabia relations, according to the tourism ministry. By leveraging shared opportunities, the two nations are set to strengthen their ties and drive mutual growth across multiple sectors, with tourism playing a central role in this evolving partnership.