Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura signed with Egyptian Minister of Tourism Hisham Zazou a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance tourism cooperation between the two countries.
The MOU is expected to encourage travel agencies to develop and promote tourism programs as well as to boost tourism investments by Egyptian and Greek businessmen as well as promote other joint cooperation in the tourism sectors.
At a joint press conference following the signing ceremony, the Egyptian minister asserted that the agreement is an important step and a cornerstone for tourism relations between the two countries.
He also welcomed the Greek tourism minister’s visit that will greatly contribute to enhancing Greek tourism traffic to Egypt.
Remote markets and religious tourism
Zaazou also said that the agreement stipulates cooperation in the tourism exchange, promotion for the Egyptian tourism programs in remote markets such as US and South East Asia as well as cooperation in the religious tourism domain.
The Greek minister voiced happiness at visiting Egypt and expressed her admiration of the Egyptian civilization and the warm welcome she received in this country.
She asserted that Egypt will restore its position as a strong tourist destination in the region as soon as possible, citing its varied tourist destinations and great civilization which could attract tourists all along the year.
Exchanging information
Kountoura also noted that her country welcomed the measures taken to bolster bilateral relations and beef up existing relations in all domains.
She said the MoU will encourage both countries on exchanging information, campaigning for promotion programs and working jointly for the sake of flourishing their tourism markets in both countries.
The agreement will also ease investment measures for Greek and Egyptian businessmen to carry out joint tourism projects, she added.
The Tourism Promotion Authority has prepared a tourist program for the Greek minister and her accompanying media delegation that includes tours in the main tourist sites in Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and other tourism locations.
Employment opportunities
The MoU involves launching tourism Investments that will create employment opportunities for the nationals in both countries in addition to collaborating and sharing expertise in the area of research, policy planning and monitoring.
Kountoura, who is currently visiting Cairo following the invitation of Zaazou, has met with the chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority Organization, Samy Mahmoud and the president of the Federation of Travel Agents, Elhamy al Zayat.
The minister is also scheduled to meet with representatives and members of the Greek Community in Egypt and representatives of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
Egypt’s tourism sector, which represents 11 percent of the country’s GDP, has been suffering from ongoing shocks ever since the 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak.
Europe accounts for 72 percent of annual incoming tourism to Egypt, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
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