Greece and Turkey on Sunday signed a tourism cooperation protocol here envisioning a greater exchange of information on issues of infrastructure and especially maritime tourism, including potential marina partnerships and the hosting of joint sailing regattas.

The protocol was signed on the sidelines of the 2nd joint Greek-Turkish tourism committee meeting and the 7th Greek-Turkish tourism forum by Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia and her Turkish counterpart Atilla Koc.

The committee agreed to make travel of third country tourists between the two countries easier and to inaugurate new ferry boat links.

 In her brief comments, Petralia noted that through mutual cooperation in the tourism sector, Greece and Turkey can better prepare for the future and achieve better results vis-à-vis international competition.

In terms of figures, noted Turkish entrepreneur Can Eretem said roughly 50,000 Turkish nationals take yachting holidays in Greece every year, whereas Petralia said 120,000 Turkish nationals visited the country. Conversely, 585,000 Greek nationals visited Turkey in 2005, up from 100,000 in 2004.

On his part, Koc called on the Greek side to participate in a tourism exhibition to be held in February in Istanbul.

Source: Athens News Agency

^
top

print this page   send this page