The promotion of tourism cooperation, as well as the advancement of Greece’s significant candidacy in the World Tourism Organization, were the main topics in a series of bilateral meetings held by Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Olga Kefalogianni, on the sidelines of the international tourism exhibition World Travel Market (WTM) in London. These meetings included her counterparts from Egypt, Bulgaria, Italy, Cyprus, San Marino, and Saudi Arabia.

 

Mrs. Olga Kefalogianni informed all her interlocutors about the candidacy of former Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haris Theoharis, for the position of Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization and sought the support of their respective countries.

 

 

Beyond this particular candidacy, the Minister of Tourism discussed the following topics with her counterparts:

 

With her Egyptian counterpart, Mr. Sherif Fathy, the discussion focused on further strengthening and deepening bilateral tourism cooperation, as well as examining the possibilities for updating and specializing the existing trilateral institutional framework for tourism cooperation between Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus.

 

 

With her Bulgarian counterpart, Mr. Evtim Miloshev, in addition to bilateral cooperation, the discussion centered on the coordination of the two countries within the framework of the EU to promote a common European tourism policy, elevate its institutional status, and create a dedicated funding line—a Greek initiative.

 

 

 

With Italian Minister Ms. Daniela Santanchè, the discussion focused on updating the institutional framework between the two countries, replacing the existing agreement dating back to 1984 with a new one adapted to modern conditions, particularly enhancing cooperation in the field of cultural tourism. This includes the development and promotion of joint tourism packages for third countries, which are key tourist markets. Additionally, Greek-Italian cooperation within the EU framework was discussed, with the aim of promoting and strengthening European tourism policy with the establishment of exclusive tourism funds.

 

With her Cypriot counterpart, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Kostas Koumis, Mrs. Kefalogianni exchanged views on tourism links between Crete and Cyprus. They discussed cooperation to advance the goals of the Observatory of Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean, a Greek regional initiative under the aegis of the World Tourism Organization, in which Cyprus also participates. The promotion of the trilateral tourism cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt, as well as the advancement of a joint European policy within the EU, was also explored.

 

Mrs. Olga Kefalogianni held a brief meeting at the Greek pavilion with the Minister of Tourism of San Marino, Mr. Federico Pedini Amati, who expressed his country’s interest in strengthening bilateral tourism cooperation with Greece in areas of mutual interest.

 

Finally, the Minister of Tourism visited the Saudi Arabian pavilion at the invitation of her Saudi counterpart, Mr. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Princess Haifa Al Saud, with whom she exchanged views on enhancing bilateral tourism cooperation and informed them of Greece’s candidacy for the Secretary-General position in the World Tourism Organization, requesting their country’s support.

 

 

Subsequently, the Saudi Minister of Tourism reciprocated the visit and toured the Greek pavilion, with Greece being the honored country at the WTM Exhibition.