Greece Steps Up with Türkiye in Strategic Tourism Talks to Unlock New Opportunities in Sustainable Travel and Rural Tourism

Greece and Türkiye are working to boost collaboration in tourism, highlighting new investment opportunities in tourism, developing destinations and creating local economic opportunities. A number of topics were discussed during the 7th meeting of the Greece-Turkey Joint Tourism Committee in Athens on 23rd October 2026. Sustainable tourism was a key topic, as were agrotourism, mountain tourism and food tourism. The discussions focused on boosting tourism services and building resilience within the sector to encourage greater flows of tourism between Greece and Türkiye. This will help to ensure greater economic benefits to local areas through international tourism.

Greece and Türkiye Strengthen Bilateral Tourism Cooperation Through High-Level Discussions

A renewed emphasis on Greece–Türkiye tourism cooperation was demonstrated during the high-level meeting, where representatives from government institutions and the tourism industry gathered to discuss opportunities for future development.

The Greek delegation was led by Anna Karamanli, Deputy Tourism Minister of Greece, while the Turkish delegation was headed by Nadir Alpaslan, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye.

The discussions were focused on strengthening existing tourism relationships and identifying areas where cooperation could be expanded.

Particular importance was attached to increasing visitor flows, improving tourism experiences and supporting the development of a more sustainable and competitive tourism sector in both countries.

Sustainable Tourism Development Placed at the Centre of Bilateral Discussions

Sustainable tourism development emerged as one of the principal priorities during the meeting, reflecting the importance placed on responsible destination management.

Both delegations examined how tourism destinations could be managed more effectively while maintaining their environmental, cultural and economic value.

Attention was directed towards encouraging tourism growth that could benefit residents as well as visitors.

The development of sustainable destinations was recognised as an important consideration for the future competitiveness of the tourism industries in Greece and Türkiye.

Through improved cooperation, opportunities for exchanging expertise in destination management and responsible tourism practices were explored, with an emphasis on long-term development rather than visitor numbers alone.

Rural Communities and Local Economies Expected to Receive Greater Attention

The importance of extending tourism benefits beyond established destinations was strongly reflected in the discussions.

Rural tourism and local economic development were identified as areas of particular interest, with both countries examining opportunities to support communities through broader tourism participation.

Greater attention was given to how tourism activity could contribute to local economies and encourage more inclusive development.

For travellers interested in experiences beyond traditional holiday destinations, this policy focus highlights the growing relevance of countryside tourism, regional traditions and community-based visitor experiences.

However, the discussions represented areas of proposed cooperation rather than confirmed new tourism programmes, with no specific rural development projects or implementation schedules announced.

Climate Change, Digital Transformation and Crisis Management Shape Tourism Priorities

The challenges facing the tourism industry were also examined as part of the bilateral agenda.

Climate change, digital transformation and crisis management were identified as shared concerns requiring continued attention from both tourism administrations.

The need to strengthen tourism sector resilience was emphasised, particularly as destinations are increasingly expected to respond to environmental pressures and changing visitor expectations.

Digital transformation was considered alongside the broader requirements of modern tourism management.

The exchange of expertise was regarded as an important element of cooperation, allowing approaches to common challenges to be discussed.

These priorities were linked to the objective of maintaining reliable tourism services and supporting destinations over the longer term.

Agrotourism Opens Discussions on New Rural Travel Experiences

Agrotourism was highlighted as one of the specialised forms of travel in which further cooperation could be explored.

The subject was included in discussions about diversifying tourism products and drawing greater attention to experiences associated with rural destinations.

Agrotourism offers a connection between tourism and agricultural communities, with activities commonly centred on farming traditions, local produce and countryside experiences.

For Greece and Türkiye, the inclusion of this segment in bilateral discussions underlines the importance being placed on tourism opportunities beyond established coastal and urban destinations.

Although no specific joint agrotourism packages were announced, the sector was identified as an area of mutual interest for future knowledge sharing and tourism development.

Mountain Tourism and Gastronomic Travel Gain Strategic Importance

The potential of mountain tourism and gastronomic tourism was also examined during the discussions.

These specialised tourism segments were recognised as areas where expertise could be exchanged and opportunities for further cooperation considered.

Mountain tourism was included in the wider effort to develop diversified visitor experiences, while gastronomic tourism was discussed as another important element of destination development.

Food traditions, regional cuisines and locally produced ingredients can provide distinctive experiences for travellers interested in cultural discovery.

Similarly, mountain destinations can offer alternatives to conventional holiday itineraries.

By highlighting these tourism segments, Greece and Türkiye demonstrated their shared interest in expanding the range of experiences available to domestic and international visitors.

Tourism Investment and Innovative Products Receive Fresh Attention

Tourism investment opportunities formed another significant part of the agenda, with both delegations exchanging views on incentives designed to encourage industry development.

The importance of creating innovative tourism products was discussed alongside efforts to improve the overall quality of tourism services.

These discussions reflected a broader interest in strengthening competitiveness and adapting tourism offerings to changing market requirements.

Investment incentives were examined as one potential means of supporting development within the sector.

However, no individual investment agreements, funding allocations or new tourism infrastructure projects were specified in the official announcement.

The discussions therefore represented a strategic exchange on investment priorities rather than confirmation of particular commercial developments.

Tourism Education and Workforce Training Identified as Essential Priorities

Tourism education and vocational training received particular attention as both countries considered ways to strengthen the capabilities of their tourism workforces.

The importance of developing professional skills was recognised as a key factor in maintaining and improving service standards.

Both delegations exchanged perspectives on workforce development and the role of training in supporting tourism quality.

The discussions also reflected the importance of preparing tourism professionals to respond to evolving industry requirements.

For travellers, the emphasis on professional development is relevant because service quality remains a central part of the visitor experience.

Nevertheless, no new bilateral training scheme or educational partnership was formally detailed in the announcement.

Aegean Airlines and Turkish Airlines Join Wider Tourism Industry Representation

Participation in the meeting was extended beyond government tourism departments, with representatives from aviation, tourism promotion, investment and hospitality organisations also included.

The Greek delegation comprised officials from the General Directorate of Tourism Policy, the Directorate of Tourism Education and Training and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Representatives from the Greek National Tourism Organisation, Enterprise Greece, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, Marketing Greece and Aegean Airlines also participated.

The Turkish delegation included officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Turkish Embassy in Greece, the Turkish Hoteliers Federation and Turkish Airlines.

The involvement of these organisations reflected the wide-ranging nature of the tourism cooperation discussions. However, no new flight routes or airline service agreements were announced.

Greece and Türkiye Look Towards Stronger Tourism Relationships

At the conclusion of the meeting, Anna Karamanli expressed appreciation to Nadir Alpaslan and the Turkish delegation for their cooperation and constructive exchange of views.

The discussions reinforced the importance of continuing dialogue on sustainable travel, rural tourism, tourism investment and destination resilience.

For the tourism industries of Greece and Türkiye, the meeting provided an opportunity to examine shared priorities and identify areas where further cooperation could be pursued.

For travellers, the discussions highlighted the increasing attention being given to diverse tourism experiences, including rural landscapes, mountain destinations and regional gastronomy.

Greece and Türkiye are working together in strategic discussions to increase cooperation in Sustainable Tourism, Rural Tourism and Investment. The meetings aim to increase Agrotourism, Mountain Tourism, and stimulate local economic growth. They also look to improve tourism services, and make destinations more resilient.

This meeting is another piece of conversation between Greece and Türkiye in relation to tourism. What happens next will depend on decisions and actions taken by the institutions involved.