Iran and Greece Strengthen Cultural and Tourism Ties: Joint Action Plan and New Tourism Opportunities on the Horizon

Published on December 12, 2025

Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, met with Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni in Athens on Thursday. The discussions were a watershed moment in the evolution of bilateral cooperation in tourism, museums, and cultural heritage. This partnership is expected to grow as a result of shared efforts in tourism development, museum restoration, and cultural exchange promotion.

Salehi-Amiri had arrived in Athens earlier to attend the 9th ministerial meeting of the Ancient Civilisations Forum at the Acropolis Museum, emphasising the significance of such discussions between the two countries. The meeting emphasised shared cultural histories and discussed future collaborations aimed at promoting tourism and strengthening cultural ties.

A Vision for Joint Action

During the meeting, Salehi-Amiri proposed the drafting of a joint action plan, which would aim to facilitate tourist travel between the two countries, strengthen cooperation in museums and cultural restoration projects, and encourage the exchange of experts. He expressed confidence that the extensive tangible and intangible heritage of both Iran and Greece could form a robust foundation for long-term cultural partnerships.

The minister highlighted Iran’s growing cultural significance, especially with the recent inscription of ‘Ayeneh-Kari, the art of mirror-work in Persian architecture’, on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. In addition to this recent success, Iran boasts 29 registered tangible and natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with many others waiting for recognition. Salehi-Amiri’s statement underscored the wealth of cultural assets that could further strengthen Iran’s tourism sector, particularly through collaborations with Greece.

Expanding Tourism Cooperation

Iran is eager to expand its cooperation with Greece, spanning various tourism sectors such as health, marine tourism, nature tourism, and spiritual tourism. With a rich history of traditional handicrafts, including 299 branches spread across Iran, as well as a vast collection of historical objects, the Iranian minister emphasized the country’s potential to offer tourists a unique, culturally immersive experience.

Iran is also keen to promote its handicrafts and tourism offerings on the international stage. To that end, Salehi-Amiri invited Minister Kefalogianni to attend the Tehran International Tourism and Handicrafts Exhibition, which is scheduled for February. The invitation extends to a summit dedicated to countries that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in Tehran, which would offer another platform for expanding the tourism partnership.

Greece’s Commitment to Expanding Cooperation

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni welcomed Iran’s proposals, affirming that Greece is committed to fostering closer ties with Iran. She acknowledged that both nations are custodians of immense cultural heritage, which has greatly enriched UNESCO’s lists. Kefalogianni also pointed out that Greece’s recent election to the Executive Council of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was a significant achievement, as was Iran’s election to the same body, making both countries key players in the global tourism dialogue.

Kefalogianni expressed Greece’s interest in updating the bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) from 1997 and drafting a new joint programme based on real implementation. The aim would be to create a tangible framework for cooperation that could yield concrete outcomes in the tourism sector, including increased exchanges and joint projects.

Barriers to Tourism Growth: Direct Flights as a Key Issue

One of the main barriers to enhancing tourism relations, according to Kefalogianni, is the lack of direct flights between Iran and Greece. While Greece remains one of Europe’s top tourist destinations, attracting approximately 40 million visitors in 2024 alone, the absence of direct connections between the two nations has hindered the potential for greater tourism exchange.

Kefalogianni expressed confidence, however, that with the right promotional efforts, Greece’s tourism sector could attract more visitors from Iran and other parts of the Middle East. Iran’s rich cultural offerings, natural beauty, and unique tourist attractions hold great appeal for both Greek and European travelers. Kefalogianni’s words reflect a shared optimism that stronger promotional efforts would eventually lead to increased tourism flows.

Enhancing Multidimensional Tourism

The Greek minister also highlighted the importance of diversifying tourism offerings beyond the traditional sun-and-sand experiences for which Greece is famous. She suggested that there was significant potential for collaboration in niche areas such as gastronomy, health tourism, marine tourism, and sports tourism. These areas are fast becoming important pillars in the global tourism landscape and could provide fresh avenues for collaboration between Iran and Greece.

According to Kefalogianni, tourism is not just an economic driver but also a bridge between nations. Strengthening bilateral ties through tourism would help foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures, contributing to peace, mutual respect, and cultural diplomacy.

A New Era of Cultural and Tourism Diplomacy

Finally, the meeting between Iran and Greece marks the start of an exciting new chapter in their cultural and tourism collaboration. Both countries have a strong appreciation for history, heritage, and tradition, and their shared commitment to expanding tourism partnerships is likely to reap significant benefits for both. With a strong action plan, the removal of barriers such as direct flights, and a commitment to diverse tourism offerings, both countries’ futures in the global tourism market look promising.

The upcoming Tehran International Tourism and Handicrafts Exhibition, as well as the Nowruz summit, will provide invaluable opportunities to further promote collaboration between Iran and Greece by showcasing both countries’ cultural treasures and tourism potential to the world. As Greece seeks to diversify its tourism markets, Iran’s growing appeal as a cultural and historical destination is expected to play a significant role in attracting visitors to both countries.