Expansion of flights to Greece was agreed upon by the Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias with the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Prince Ahmed Al Khateeb, in the context of the series of contacts and meetings with leaders of the global tourism market that he is carrying out during his visit to Riyadh, where the 22nd Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Yesterday, he had a working meeting with the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Prince Ahmed Al Khateeb.

The discussion focused on the expansion of direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Greece, which will be implemented in the near future.

Investments

At the same time, the interest in tourism investments in Athens was high on the agenda, as well as the possibility of training Saudis in tourism schools in Greece.

The two ministers also agreed on the provision of scholarships to Greeks for studies at the Academy of the World Tourism Organization in Saudi Arabia, as well as for the cultural week between the two countries to be held in Riyadh.

Afterwards, the Minister of Tourism met with the president and CEO of the investment group in Saudi Arabia “Alkholi Group”, Mr. Hamza B. Alkholi, at the Embassy of Greece. The subject of the discussion is the extroversion of the Greek economy and the large investments now being made in the country by international giants, which provide added value and significantly upgrade the Greek tourist product in all its aspects (winter-mountain tourism, alternative, cultural, sports, religious tourism etc.).

With the SG of the WTO

Mr. Kikilias also met with the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili and discussed this year’s performance of Greece in terms of arrivals and revenues – which are impressive even compared to the performance of other countries that are popular destinations – and also about the future of tourism and the need to shift to a sustainable tourism model with an emphasis on environmental protection, green development and the blue economy.

With Egypt’s Minister of Tourism

Finally, the Minister of Tourism met with the Minister of Tourism of Egypt Ahmed Issa, confirmining the mutual will to further deepen the cooperation between the two countries in tourism.