UK and Greece strengthen tourism ties with new cooperation agreement

The UK and Greece have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration across tourism, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, investment, and skills development.

Signed by tourism ministers in London, the five-year agreement marks the first formal tourism cooperation agreement between the two countries. It will support greater exchange of knowledge and best practice, including in digital travel technologies, tourism education, vocational training, and sustainable tourism.

The deal comes as around five million UK travellers visit Greece each year, while Greek visitors to the UK have continued to increase since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The MoU covers eight key areas, including tourism promotion, investment opportunities, institutional cooperation, and the development of new tourism products. It will also encourage collaboration around specialist travel sectors such as cultural tourism, gastronomy, wine, luxury shopping, film tourism, and rural and outdoor experiences.

UK Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “This agreement will strengthen our cooperation and support sustainable growth across both our tourism sectors. By working together, we can help those who work around the clock to provide a great experience to the millions that travel between our countries every year.”

The agreement forms part of wider UK government efforts to strengthen international tourism links and grow the visitor economy.