The Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias, signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation (MoU) in the tourism sector with his Lebanese counterpart, Walid Nassar, and the Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus, Costas Koumis.

The purpose of the MoU is to facilitate and increase tourist flows between Greece, Lebanon and Cyprus, as well as to attract travelers from other countries.

In the framework of the enhanced cooperation of the three countries, institutional synergies, strengthening of contacts between the public and private sectors of the three countries, as well as the exchange of information, know-how and practical experience in the policies and strategies followed in the tourism sector are envisaged, among other things ( destination promotion, data and market research, tourism education and training, investment attraction, etc.)

Particular emphasis is placed on tourism of special interest, with an emphasis on cultural tourism, including pilgrimage tourism, gastronomy and health and wellness tourism.

Given that tourism is an important factor in the economies of the three countries and the seasons in Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon are similar, the MoU ensures close cooperation on issues such as transnational thematic tourism, in order to take advantage of the opportunities provided through special themed experiences and with the aim of tripartitely increasing travel flows.