President, Ministers, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Athens, for a Summit that brings together distinguished leaders and partners from Europe and Africa to advance a common agenda around sustainable tourism and strategic investment.
This Summit is timely. As global challenges evolve, tourism has proved not just resilient but transformational. It brings countries together, drives innovation, and powers inclusive growth. Today, sustainability, regional collaboration, and long-term value creation must guide the next chapter in our shared journey.
Greece comes to this Summit not only as a host, but as a country that has fundamentally reoriented its economy. We have implemented bold structural reforms, improved our competitiveness, and attracted record levels of international investment. Tourism has been central to the success underpinning that change.
In 2024, Greece welcomed over 35 million visitors. But for us, progress is measured not only in numbers, but in the quality, resilience, and sustainability of our tourism model.
We are investing in infrastructure, innovation, and year-round destinations that benefit all regions of our country. And we are working closely with the private sector to elevate standards, modernise systems, and align tourism with our broader environmental and economic goals.
Equally, Greece recognises its role as a regional bridge. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, we are uniquely positioned to facilitate cross continental partnerships and connectivity around tourism, energy security and sustainable development in the wider Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans, and the Africa-Europe corridor.
Africa too is undergoing a demographic and economic transformation. A youthful population, improving quality of life, and rapid urbanisation are reshaping the continent’s future. These changes are driving growth in trade, consumption, and mobility, and present enormous potential for strategic investment in tourism.
Europe’s partnership with Africa is grounded in respect, shared opportunity, and a commitment to co-development. But strong as that partnership is, we must not miss the chance to deepen it still further. Greece is committed to contributing to that strengthening partnership, whether through investment, knowledge exchange, or regional cooperation.
This Summit also provides an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the global tourism agenda through leadership in our international institutions. In this context, I am proud to express Greece’s support for the candidacy of Harry Theoharis for UN Secretary-General for Tourism. As Greek minister for Tourism during the pandemic, Harry successfully led one of Europe’s earliest and most effective tourism reopening strategies. His experience and commitment reflect the values of professionalism, cooperation, and innovation that Greece seeks to promote in the global tourism community.
Ministers, Delegates,
Tourism is more than a driver of economic growth. It is a platform for dialogue, cultural exchange, and sustainable development. It is a sector that touches lives, connects continents, and builds peace.
Let us use this Summit to forge new partnerships and unlock shared prosperity. Let us work together, Europe and Africa, to build a tourism economy that reflects our values, meets our challenges, and benefits all our people.
Thank you, and I wish you all a productive and impactful Summit.
