Visa-on-Arrival Program Boosts Greek Tourism with 100,000 Turkish Visitors

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Key Takeaways

01

Greece’s visa-on-arrival program has attracted over 100,000 Turkish tourists, boosting tourism and economic ties with Turkey.
02

Turkish tourists benefit economically from 30% cheaper costs on Greek islands compared to similar Turkish destinations.
03

Program demonstrates cooperation improvement between Greece and Turkey, with discussions to extend it into 2025 and beyond.

Greece’s visa-on-arrival program, launched on April 1, 2024, has been remarkably successful, drawing more than 100,000 Turkish tourists to the stunning Greek islands. This initiative has eased the travel process for Turkish visitors, strengthened tourism links between Greece 🇬🇷 and Turkey 🇹🇷, and positively impacted Greece’s economy. As the conversation about possibly extending the program into 2025 grows, its effects and potential future remain key topics of interest for both countries.

The Visa-on-Arrival Program: An Overview

Visa-on-Arrival Program Boosts Greek Tourism with 100,000 Turkish Visitors

The visa-on-arrival program is the result of a bilateral agreement between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The aim was to simplify short-term travel for Turkish nationals. Under this plan, Turkish citizens can travel to ten Greek islands—Rhodes, Chios, Kos, Lesbos, Samos, Kalymnos, Leros, Kastellorizo, Symi, and Limnos—without needing a full Schengen visa. Instead, upon arrival, travelers obtain a single-entry visa for €60. This quick and easy procedure contrasts sharply with the lengthy and often complicated Schengen visa application, making the Greek islands more inviting for Turkish tourists looking for short vacations.

Tourism Surge: By the Numbers

The numbers clearly show the program’s success. By November 2024, over 100,000 express visas had been issued under this scheme to Turkish nationals. During the peak summer months, nearly 400,000 Turkish tourists visited Greek islands. The surge in visitors was most noticeable on the Northeast Aegean islands, where an extra 54,373 visas were issued by the end of August.

From January to early July 2024, about 182,000 Turkish nationals traveled to Greece, with 35,000 entering through the visa-on-arrival program by early August. These figures highlight the program’s crucial role in promoting cross-border tourism and fostering closer cultural and economic ties between the two countries.

Economic Impact on Greece 🇬🇷

The increase in Turkish visitors has had a noticeable effect on Greece’s regional economies. Tourism is essential for Greece’s GDP, making initiatives like this one vital for supporting local businesses. The influx of tourists has been beneficial for hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and various other sectors associated with tourism.

Greek islands specialize in boutique tourism, offering smaller accommodations such as boutique hotels that cater to personal preferences. This is different from Turkey’s large-scale resorts meant for mass tourism. The unique infrastructure and pricing strategies on the Greek islands attract many Turkish tourists who are looking for distinct experiences at competitive prices.

During peak seasons, Greek islands reportedly offer a cost advantage of around 30% compared to similar Turkish destinations. This pricing difference has encouraged Turkish travelers to explore what Greece has to offer.

Challenges and Regional Competition

While the program has been good for Greece’s tourism industry, it has also raised concerns in Turkey about decreasing domestic tourism numbers. Firuz Bağlıkaya, head of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), noted that more Turks traveling to Greece has coincided with fewer visitors to Turkish destinations. In response, Turkey introduced competitively priced packages in September and October 2024 to increase domestic tourism.

This competitive situation highlights the broader regional interplay between the two countries’ tourism sectors. Even though both countries benefit from cross-border travel opportunities facilitated by programs like this one, they also face challenges in managing inbound and outbound tourism flows.

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation

Beyond its immediate economic benefits, the visa-on-arrival program reflects broader efforts by Greece and Turkey to improve their bilateral relations. During a recent meeting between Greek Minister of Shipping Christos Stylianidis and Turkish Minister of Transport Abdulkadir Uraloğlu in Istanbul, both sides emphasized their commitment to enhancing cooperation in maritime tourism and transportation.

Stylianidis mentioned that maritime connections between Greece and Turkey have created a “win-win” situation for all involved. The visa-on-arrival scheme was praised as a successful initiative that not only boosts tourism but also builds goodwill between neighbors.

Plans for Extension into 2025

Owing to its success in 2024, there is strong support for extending the program into 2025. Konstantinos Moutzouris, Northern Aegean Regional Governor of Greece, proposed expanding the scheme to include non-Schengen visitors—including Turkish nationals—next year. This recommendation, endorsed by local authorities, is expected to be discussed at higher levels of government soon.

The proposed extension aligns with Greece’s broader strategy to attract more international tourists while making entry processes easier for neighboring countries. If approved for another year or more, the program could become a key part of regional tourism policy.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

As talks about extending the visa-on-arrival program progress, several opportunities and challenges are emerging.

Opportunities:

Boosting local economy: More tourists could lead to further economic growth on the Greek islands.
Cultural exchange: The program may continue to encourage cultural ties between Greece 🇬🇷 and Turkey 🇹🇷.
Maritime cooperation: There could be enhanced cooperation in the maritime tourism and transportation sectors.

Challenges:

Infrastructure management: Managing infrastructure capacity on Greek islands during peak seasons could be challenging.
Domestic tourism in Turkey: Addressing the concerns from Turkey about declining domestic tourism is crucial.
Security concerns: Ensuring that the simplified visa process doesn’t compromise border security or administrative efficiency is essential.

Conclusion

Greece’s visa-on-arrival program for Turkish tourists is a clear example of how thoughtful policies can spur growth in regional tourism while strengthening ties between neighboring countries. With over 100,000 visas issued since April 2024 and nearly 400,000 Turkish visitors during peak months, the program has provided significant economic advantages for Greece’s island communities.

As authorities consider extending this initiative into 2025 and beyond, it holds promise as both a tool for boosting tourism and a representation of cooperation between two historic neighbors. By addressing challenges and seizing opportunities effectively, Greece can continue to enjoy the benefits of this successful scheme while setting an example for other nations looking to encourage cross-border travel and economic collaboration.

For more about Greece’s visa or travel procedures, you can check the official government page outlining these guidelines. Furthermore, analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that similar approaches could be adopted by other nations to foster tourism and enhance international cooperation.

Learn Today

Visa-on-Arrival: A program allowing Turkish tourists to obtain a visa upon arriving in Greece, simplifying the travel process.
Bilateral Agreement: A mutual arrangement between Greece and Turkey to facilitate easier travel for Turkish nationals to Greek destinations.
Schengen Visa: A travel document needed for entry into most European countries, not required for Turkish tourists under the Greek program.
Express Visa: A fast-tracked single-entry visa issued on arrival, costing €60, allowing short-term visits to designated Greek islands.
Boutique Tourism: Travel focused on personalized and small-scale experiences, such as staying in boutique hotels, contrasting with mass tourism options.

This Article in a Nutshell

Greece’s innovative visa-on-arrival program has drawn over 100,000 Turkish tourists since April 2024, enhancing tourism and boosting Greece’s economy. This welcoming initiative simplifies travel, fostering stronger Greece-Turkey ties. As discussions about extending it into 2025 continue, its impact on regional tourism and bilateral relations remains profound and promising.
— By VisaVerge.com