Turkey-Greece Visa Program Sparks Tourism Boom, Strengthens Bilateral Ties

Since Greece launched its visa-on-arrival program for Turkish citizens on April 1, 2024, over 100,000 Turkish tourists have flocked to the Greek islands, sparking a surge in regional tourism.

The program, which allows Turkish nationals to visit select Greek islands for short stays—ranging from one to seven days—for an entry fee of 60 euros ($63), has been widely praised by Greek and Turkish officials as a resounding success.

The announcement came during a recent meeting in Istanbul between Greek Minister of Shipping Christos Stylianidis and Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. Both emphasized the initiative's positive economic and diplomatic outcomes.

“This program has not only driven tourism but also opened doors for greater cooperation between Greece and Turkey,” said Stylianidis, noting that visitors can enjoy popular islands like Rhodes (Rodos), Lesbos (Midilli), and Samos (Sisam) without needing a full Schengen visa.

According to Greek magazine Oikonomikos Tachydromos, nearly 400,000 Turkish visitors had taken advantage of the scheme by the end of the summer, and the number is continuing to rise. In the northeast Aegean, local authorities reported an additional 54,373 visas issued by the end of August, underscoring the program’s growing popularity.

Both ministers also highlighted the strengthening of maritime links between the two nations, with Stylianidis calling the enhanced ferry connections a "win-win" that boosts tourism and stimulates economic growth in coastal regions on both sides.

Due to the initiative's success, Greece has decided to extend the program through 2025, following recommendations from local officials like Northern Aegean Regional Governor Konstantinos Moutzouris. Moutzouris has suggested expanding the program to include other non-Schengen visitors as well.

The visa-on-arrival scheme was introduced as part of an agreement between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to ease tensions between the two nations, particularly over disputes in the Aegean Sea. While long-standing challenges remain, both countries have expressed cautious optimism that increased practical cooperation—especially in tourism and maritime sectors—can help build stronger bilateral ties.

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