Greece and Colombia signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation in Athens on Thursday, establishing a framework for closer collaboration in tourism training, digital innovation, sustainable destination management and the promotion of cultural and culinary tourism.
The agreement was signed by Deputy Tourism Minister Anna Karamanli and Colombia’s ambassador to Greece, Ligia Quessep, marking the first formal bilateral tourism arrangement between the two countries and reflecting broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.
The memorandum identifies tourism as a driver of economic and social development and provides for cooperation through the exchange of expertise, professional training, digitalization initiatives and sustainable tourism policies. It also encourages collaboration in cultural, gastronomic and nature-based tourism.
Karamanli described Colombia as a dynamic market whose travelers show strong interest in cultural, culinary and outdoor experiences. She also highlighted Latin America as a strategically important region for Greece’s efforts to diversify its tourism markets and attract more long-haul visitors.
Quessep welcomed the signing as a milestone in bilateral relations and said Greece’s success in developing a globally competitive tourism industry could offer valuable lessons for Colombia’s tourism sector.
The agreement comes amid growing contacts between Greece and Colombia in trade, maritime affairs, tourism and multilateral diplomacy. Greece over the past few years has increasingly sought to expand its presence in Latin America as part of a broader strategy to diversify economic partnerships and tourism flows.
Greece continues to record strong tourism performance, while Colombia has emerged as one of Latin America’s fastest-growing destinations.
