Türkiye-Greece 6th Joint Tourism Committee Meeting was held

The 6th Joint Tourism Committee Meeting between Turkey and Greece was chaired by Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nadir Alpaslan and Deputy Minister of Tourism of Greece Anna Karamanli .

Speaking at the meeting where important agenda items between the two countries were discussed, Deputy Minister Alpaslan emphasized that expanding the scope of the visa application upon arrival would create great gains for both countries.

Stating that approximately 1.5 million Turkish citizens will visit Greece in 2024, Alpaslan said that the fact that this practice is limited to only 10 islands prevents the full use of the existing potential.

Stating that there has also been an increase in the number of Greek tourists coming to Turkey , Alpaslan said, “While 686 thousand 480 Greek citizens visited our country in 2023, this number reached 707 thousand 133 in 2024.”

Expressing that tourism products should be diversified, Alpaslan suggested cooperation in the fields of rural tourism and marine tourism.

Alpaslan said, "Collaboration in areas that highlight our geographical advantages, such as agro-tourism and experiences intertwined with rural life, such as marine tourism, will contribute to local economies and meet alternative tourism demands."

Nadir Alpaslan also pointed out that joint certification systems should be developed to raise quality standards, and said that joint routes to be established between the two countries would create a great attraction for tourists traveling for long periods.

“We are ready to share our knowledge and experience”

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Alpaslan stated that importance should be given to the training of tourism workers in line with changing consumer demands and digitalization. Calling on the Greek delegation for cooperation, Alpaslan said, “Our country is always ready to share its knowledge and experience in this field.”

New lines on the table in transportation

Emphasizing that transportation networks need to be strengthened in order to increase tourism mobility between the two countries, Alpaslan continued as follows:

“Opening new routes and increasing existing trips will increase the travel comfort of tourists and strengthen our economic and cultural ties.”

Forums will continue

Drawing attention to the critical role of the Turkey-Greece Tourism Forum , Alpaslan concluded his words as follows:

“The forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders in the tourism sector to come together, exchange information, develop joint projects and discuss sustainable tourism policies.”

Tourism cooperation protocol signed

Following the meetings, the protocol aimed at strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism between the two countries was signed by Deputy Ministers Nadir Alpaslan and Anna Karamanli.

Representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, as well as tourism sector representatives from Turkey, attended the meeting.

Turkish Hoteliers Association Board of Directors Chairwoman Müberra Eresin, General Secretary İsmail Taşdemir, Chamber of Shipping Board of Directors Member İsmail Görgün, Turkish Tourism Investors Association Board of Directors Member Ömer Tosun, ATİD President and TÜROFED Representative Birol Akman, Chamber of Shipping Izmir Branch Board of Directors Chairwoman Yusuf Öztürk, Turkish Airlines Greece Office Sales Manager Ahmet Haluk Güngör and Pegasus Airlines Sales Specialist Mert Coşkun attended the meeting representing the Turkish tourism sector.

The Greek delegation included Ankara Ambassador Theodoros Bizakis , as well as officials from the Ministry of Tourism, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, the Tourism Education and Training Directorate, the Research Directorate, the Strategic Planning Directorate and the Economic and Commercial Affairs Office.