- New commitment to promote investment opportunities,
entrepreneurship and vocational training and cooperate on
innovation and sustainability
- Focus on special interest tourism, including Film, Culture,
Gastronomy and Rural Tourism, working together to diversify both
countries' offerings and ensure holidaymakers can make the most
of their trips
British holidaymakers travelling to Greece will benefit from a
new Memorandum of Understanding, which has now been signed
between the UK and Greece. The new agreement will strengthen
cooperation from both countries on tourism, committing to work
together on promotion, investment, innovation and sustainability
across their respective sectors.
Both countries will seek to boost entrepreneurship in the tourism
sector, and will promote cooperation, exchange of information and
practical experience in digitalisation and innovation in travel
and tourism technologies, as well as in the field of tourism
education and vocational training.
Around five million Brits choose to holiday in Greece each year,
while the number of Greeks travelling to visit the UK has grown
year-on-year since the Coronavirus Pandemic.
This milestone builds on the strong tourism relationship between
the two countries, marking the first time a cooperation agreement
in the field of tourism has been signed between the two
countries.
Running for an initial five-year period, the MoU covers eight
main areas of cooperation, including institutional collaboration,
tourism promotion, sustainability, investment, digitalisation and
vocational training, ensuring that British holidaymakers are able
to enjoy and make the most of Greece's tourism offer.
It will see greater cooperation between Greece and the UK in the
areas of investment opportunities and the holding of fairs,
exhibitions, seminars and other tourism promotion events in both
countries.
There is a commitment for an exchange of information and know-how
relating to tourism policy and legislation, visitors'
satisfaction within each country, research and developments in
the global tourism market and new tourism products and
services.
There is also an emphasis on special interest tourism - film,
culture, luxury shopping, gastronomy and wine as well as rural,
mountain and hiking tourism.
Best practice around sustainable tourism - aimed at minimising
the environmental impact of tourists in the respective countries
- will also be shared.
The MoU highlights the government's commitment to strengthening
the UK's relationship with EU member states while also growing
the UK's own visitor economy. Plans for this will be set out in
an upcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy.
Tourism Minister said:
Both Greece and the UK share a rich history, stunning landscapes
and amazing coastlines which are enjoyed by millions of visitors
each year.
This agreement will strengthen our cooperation and support
sustainable growth across both our tourism sectors. By working
together, we can help those who work around the clock to provide
a great experience to the millions that travel between our
countries every year.
Greek holidaymakers have always been welcome in the UK and we
look forward to welcoming many more in the years ahead.
Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni said:
The United Kingdom remains Greece's leading tourism market.
Visitor flows continue to grow - a testament to the deep
friendship between our two countries.
Today's Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step in
deepening our strategic partnership in tourism. It establishes a
modern framework for cooperation that goes beyond promotion to
encompass sustainability, innovation, investment, tourism
education, and shared expertise.
This is an investment in the future of both our tourism sectors
that opens new opportunities for businesses, destinations, and
travellers alike.
ENDSNotes to Editors:
- A bilateral working group has also been established as part
of this MoU, with the aim of reviewing its implementation through
consultations and the submission of recommendations to
authorities. The group will meet remotely, with the option to
invite experts from both the public and private tourism sectors
to attend.
- The MoU will continue for five years, with automatic renewal
for subsequent five-year periods.
