Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Emirates Group. Photo source: Tourism Ministry
Greece has taken a significant step toward strengthening its strategic tourism ties with the United Arab Emirates through a new agreement signed with Emirates Airline during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai.
On Monday, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni met with Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Emirates Group, to discuss ways to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in the travel and tourism sectors. Talks focused on boosting connectivity between Greece and key long-haul markets such as the United States, Asia, and Australia – regions with strong tourism potential for Greece.
Photo source: Tourism Ministry
“Emirates was the first airline to connect Athens directly with Dubai and remains to this day the only airline to offer a daily direct flight between Greece and the United States,” said Minister Kefalogianni. “The strategic partnership with Emirates contributes significantly to strengthening Greece’s image as a leading tourist and business destination and is a crucial tool for the further development of our tourism sector.”
Following the meeting, the minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Europe and the Americas. The agreement reaffirms Emirates’ commitment to promoting Greece as a year-round destination across its global network.
Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni with Emirates’ Adnan Kazim (Deputy President & Chief Commercial Officer) and Thierry Aucoc, (Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Europe and the Americas). Photo source: Emirates
The partnership includes a series of joint initiatives focused on sustainable tourism development. These will include co-branded marketing campaigns aimed at attracting visitors to Greece from key markets and highlighting lesser-known destinations beyond the summer season. The MoU aligns with Greece’s broader tourism strategy through 2025.
“Emirates has been operating in Greece since 1996, demonstrating its long-term commitment through enhanced connectivity and commercial presence,” said Aucoc. “We are confident that our joint actions will continue to inspire travelers from around the world to discover the cultural richness, natural beauty, and renowned Greek hospitality that make the country a unique destination.”
Photo source: Tourism Ministry
Another key component of the partnership is the codeshare agreement between Emirates and AEGEAN Airlines. This will allow travelers to book single-ticket journeys and enjoy streamlined baggage policies on connecting flights to popular destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Thessaloniki – making it easier for international visitors to explore Greece.
“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and the new codeshare agreement make Greece even more accessible and competitive on the global tourism map,” said Kefalogianni.
Emirates in Greece
Photo source: Emirates
Emirates operates a daily Boeing 777-300ER flight on the Dubai–Athens–Newark route. To meet rising summer demand, it will introduce an additional seasonal daily service between Dubai and Athens from June through October. Since launching operations in Greece in 1996, Emirates has carried over 4.5 million passengers between Athens, Dubai, and beyond.
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