The United Kingdom and Greece have entered into a formal tourism partnership following a meeting in London. UK Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock and Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 2 July 2026, creating an official framework to expand travel trades, investments and sector training.
This historic agreement marks the first official bilateral accord dedicated entirely to tourism between the two nations. Set for an initial five-year duration, the deal outlines eight primary focus areas. These sectors cover structural cooperation, industry digitalisation, vocational education, market investment and eco-friendly travel practices.
The alliance arrives amid high consumer volume, with roughly five million British nationals holidaying in Greece annually. At the same time, Greek inbound travel to the UK has maintained consistent year-on-year growth since the lifting of pandemic restrictions. The new pact aims to build on these cross-border travel trends by supporting local entrepreneurial ventures and establishing tech-sharing programmes for travel applications.
“Both Greece and the UK share a rich history, stunning landscapes and amazing coastlines which are enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. 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. Greek holidaymakers have always been welcome in the UK and we look forward to welcoming many more in the years ahead,” said Stephanie Peacock.
Beyond standard holiday marketing, the MoU sets out detailed plans to promote niche tourism segments. The designated growth areas include culinary tourism, cultural heritage, cinematic travel, luxury shopping, hiking and rural excursions. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport noted that the initiative aligns with an upcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy, designed to expand the British visitor economy while establishing stronger connections with EU member states.
“The United Kingdom remains Greece’s leading tourism market. Visitor flows continue to grow – a testament to the deep friendship between our two countries. Today’s Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step in deepening our strategic partnership in tourism. It establishes a modern framework for cooperation that goes beyond promotion to encompass sustainability, innovation, investment, tourism education, and shared expertise. This is an investment in the future of both our tourism sectors that opens new opportunities for businesses, destinations, and travellers alike,” said Olga Kefalogianni.
