New Greece–Emirates Pact Aims to Ignite Year-Round Tourism Growth
Ktimatoemporiki Real Estate - 2025-05-03
Home > Greece Property News > New Greece–Emirates Pact Aims to Ignite Year-Round Tourism Growth
A Strategic Step Forward
In a bold stride toward deepening its ties with the United Arab Emirates, Greece has signed a landmark agreement with Emirates Airline during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai — a partnership set to elevate the country’s status as a year-round destination.
Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni met with Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Emirates Group, to explore new opportunities for cooperation. Their discussion focused on enhancing Greece’s global connectivity with long-haul markets such as the United States, Asia, and Australia — key regions with growing interest in Greek tourism.
“Emirates was the first airline to connect Athens directly with Dubai and remains to this day the only airline offering a daily direct flight between Greece and the United States,” noted Minister Kefalogianni. “This strategic partnership significantly boosts Greece’s image as a leading tourist and business destination and serves as a vital tool in the continued development of our tourism sector.”
A Shared Vision for Growth and Sustainability
The agreement sets the foundation for a series of joint actions focused on sustainable tourism development. Among them are co-branded campaigns designed to attract visitors year-round, especially to lesser-known destinations beyond the traditional summer season. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reflects Greece’s broader tourism vision through 2025 — a shift from seasonal tourism to a model of continuous discovery.
“Since 1996, Emirates has proudly operated in Greece, reinforcing its presence through strong commercial ties and connectivity,” said Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ Senior Vice President for Europe and the Americas. “We are confident our efforts will continue to inspire travelers to experience the cultural richness, natural beauty, and famed Greek hospitality that make this country so unique.”
The MoU was formally signed by Minister Kefalogianni and Mr. Aucoc, reaffirming Emirates’ long-term commitment to promoting Greece across its global network.
Opening the Gate to Every Corner of Greece
A vital part of the agreement is the enhanced codeshare partnership between Emirates and AEGEAN Airlines, which allows for seamless single-ticket travel and unified baggage policies to popular destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Thessaloniki — making Greece more accessible than ever.
Emirates currently operates a daily Boeing 777-300ER on the Dubai–Athens–Newark route. To meet rising demand during the summer months, the airline will introduce a second daily seasonal service between Dubai and Athens from June through October. Since launching in Greece, Emirates has carried more than 4.5 million passengers — connecting Athens to the world and bringing the world to Greece.
