Workshop in Thessaloniki and Athens for cooperation between Greece and Turkey in tourism

The two workshops in Thessaloniki and Athens on the topic of “Tourist Destinations of Turkey & Cooperation between Turkey and Greece in the field of Tourism” were held with great success and the participation of more than 200 representatives of the tourism industry from Turkey and Greece.

The events were organized by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Promotion Organization (TGA), the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in Athens, with the support of: Turkish Hoteliers Association (TÜROB), Association of Tourist and Travel Agencies in Greece-HATTA, Federation of Tourist Agencies in Greece Fed-HATTA as well as the Association of Tourist Agencies in Macedonia Thrace.

The events aimed to promote popular destinations in Turkey such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, the coast, destinations on the Black Sea, as well as to develop business relations between the Greek travel market and their Turkish counterparts.

The work of the two events was opened by the representative of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in Athens, Prof. Veli Aydin, who, after thanking the participants, emphasized that the aim of the events is to strengthen relations and create those conditions that will contribute to a stable, constantly evolving relationship between professionals of the two countries in the tourism sector.

The events were attended by the Ambassador of Turkey Çağatay Erciyes and the Consul General of Turkey in Thessaloniki Serkan Gedik.

Çağatay Erciyes, among others, emphasized that the positive course of bilateral relations between the two countries is reflected in the cooperation between the countries in the field of tourism. “Instead of competing, our tourism sectors can complement each other, especially in attracting visitors from all over the world. By joining forces, we can create even more exciting travel experiences that can attract tourists to both countries. By thinking creatively, Turkey and Greece together can turn the challenges of the current global economic climate into opportunities.”

Consul General Serkan Gedik stated, “It is particularly positive that there was a significant increase in tourism traffic between the two countries in 2024, which has significantly contributed to strengthening the economies of both countries. This tourist mobility is expected to increase in 2025. The positive climate and good relations between Turkey and Greece will contribute even more to strengthening the tourism sector.

The President of the Turkish Hoteliers Association TÜROB, Ms. Müberra Eresin, among others, stated, “We are truly grateful for the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries. We believe that through close cooperation, we can build important relationships that will benefit both sides, Turkey and Greece.”

From the side of the Greek tourism industry, Mr. Lysandros Tsilidis, President of the Federation of Tourist Agencies in Greece -FedHATTA, stated: “Turkey has always been a popular destination for Greeks, and through such events we can further strengthen two-way tourist flows. The prospects for the development of Greek-Turkish tourism relations, which will undoubtedly be of great benefit to both countries, have increased as we find ourselves in a new period where travel is taking on a new meaning for travelers and the destinations of Greece and Turkey have upgraded their tourism product.”

The president of the Association of Tourist Offices of Macedonia Thrace, Vyronas Theologis, among other things, emphasized “We support for the second consecutive year this initiative of the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Organization (TGA) and the Culture and Tourism Office in Greece as we consider it important for our city as well as for tourism professionals. I hope that it will be another important step for opening new destinations, stimulating the tourist flow of destinations that already exist as well as strengthening cooperation between professionals from the two countries.”

The guests attended the presentation of Ms. Zeynep Üçok Çelikağ, Country Marketing Group Manager TGA for Turkey's favorite tourist destinations, such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, the coasts, as well as destinations on the Black Sea.

Upon completion of the event, meetings were held in which representatives of the tourism industry of the two countries participated, where they had the opportunity to discuss and exchange proposals regarding the increase in tourist arrivals from the two countries.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report