Greece and Saudi Arabia will broaden collaboration in politics, economics, and tourism. This enhanced partnership was solidified during the 1st High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, held in AlUla. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud co-chaired the council.
The expanded strategic relationship has evolved significantly since the two countries signed an agreement in the summer of 2022 establishing the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. This agreement marked a new chapter in their bilateral ties.
Tourism a Key Focus
Tourism plays a pivotal role in the efforts of this council. Greece’s Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, participated in the council’s discussions, emphasizing tourism’s importance. The Tourism Committee, one of the council’s seven committees, agreed on several initiatives under the Joint Action Program for 2024-2026.
The initiative’s aim is to encourage collaborations between private-sector representatives from both nations. These include hosting a 2025 workshop for travel agents from Greece and Saudi Arabia, exploring joint airline advertising campaigns to boost tourism demand, and launching a program to recruit hospitality workers.
These steps are expected to further strengthen tourism ties between the two nations and substantially enhance Greece and Saudi Arabia cooperation. Tourism between the two countries has seen remarkable growth in recent years.
Promoting Tourism Collaborations
Building on these developments, Minister Kefalogianni and her Saudi counterpart, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, signed a bilateral Joint Action Program during the UN World Tourism Organization’s Executive Council meeting in Barcelona in June. This agreement outlines cooperation for 2024-2026, emphasizing sustainable tourism, green travel initiatives, tourism education, digital transformation, niche markets, investment promotion, improved air connectivity, and coordination on international platforms.
The initiatives planned between Greece and Saudi Arabia are expected to serve as a springboard for deeper tourism partnerships. They strive to deliver tangible benefits in the form of increased travel activity, improved business ties, and enhanced mutual understanding.
