Turkey and Greece sign a protocol for collaboration in the tourism sector
In a significant move towards strengthening their tourism relations, Turkey and Greece signed a new bilateral protocol on July 2025 during the 6th Joint Tourism Committee Meeting held in Ankara. The agreement, co-chaired by Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Nadir Alpaslan, and Greece’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Anna Karamanli, aims to boost collaboration in alternative tourism sectors and improve transport connectivity between the two countries [1][2][3][4].
The protocol places a strong focus on alternative tourism, with a particular emphasis on niche areas such as agrotourism (rural tourism) and maritime/coastal tourism. By leveraging the geographical and cultural assets of both countries, this collaboration aims to cater to the growing demand for diverse and sustainable travel experiences, boosting local economies and promoting tourism rooted in rural lifestyles and coastal environments [1][2][3][4].
One of the key aspects of the cooperation is the enhancement of the visa-on-arrival system or “visa at the gate” policy. This initiative has already resulted in increased tourist flows, with about 1.5 million Turkish citizens visiting Greece in 2024 and roughly 700,000 Greek tourists traveling to Turkey [1][2][3]. The increase in Turkish travelers to Greece was largely driven by the visa-on-arrival scheme applied to the Greek islands.
Improving transport connectivity is another essential aspect of the agreement. Deputy Minister Alpaslan highlighted proposals to expand existing routes and introduce new ones, aiming to facilitate smoother and more frequent travel between the two countries. This is seen as crucial to increasing tourist exchanges and strengthening economic and cultural ties [1][3][4].
Both countries also plan to encourage private sector partnerships for joint promotional activities and the development of joint certification systems to improve tourism standards and experiences [1]. During the meeting, Nadir Alpaslan emphasized the need to diversify tourism offerings.
The signing of the tourism cooperation protocol marks a new chapter in Turkey-Greece tourism relations, reflecting a strengthened commitment to cooperation and regional economic development [1][2][3][4]. Following the talks, the protocol was officially signed by Alpaslan and Karamanlis.
With this agreement, Turkey and Greece are set to reap the benefits of expanded tourism opportunities, fostering deeper economic and cultural ties, and offering travellers unique and sustainable travel experiences.
The protocol, focused on expanding tourism sectors, places an emphasis on alternative lifestyle travel experiences, including agrotourism and maritime/coastal tours, aiming to cater to the rising demand for diverse and sustainable travels, ultimately promoting tourism that overlaps with rural lifestyles and coastal environments. Furthermore, this cooperation plans to enhance transport connectivity between Turkey and Greece, proposing to expand existing routes and introduce new ones, with the ultimate goal of facilitating smoother and more frequent travel, thereby increasing tourist exchanges and strengthening economic and cultural ties.
