The Connecting with the Best program further strengthened its international footprint through a series of targeted luxury tourism events held in Saudi Arabia and Dubai during the previous period, reaffirming its strategic focus on high-spending outbound tourism markets.
Led by Ambassador Mykonos Promo – HACC New York, Mykonos-based, Mr. Kostas Skagias, the program’s delegation participated in the Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop, which took place on November 26, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. One month earlier, from October 22 to 24, the team had also marked a dynamic presence at the Luxury Travel Workshop – Mediterranean Region in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, together with partners from the New York Tourism Advisory Group.
During the Dubai workshop, the Connecting with the Best team returned with more than 60 high-quality business contacts, following targeted B2B meetings with buyers primarily from the United States, and to a lesser extent from Mexico and Canada.
At the Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop in Riyadh, organized by Tourism Media & Events, the program’s team conducted B2B meetings with 25 Saudi tourism professionals and travel agents. The presentations were delivered by the program’s specialized partners Mohannad Agladi, Christina Hatzi (Arabic-speaking representatives), and Katerina Varvarigou, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Republic of Yemen. The focus was on showcasing premium hospitality services as well as the authentic cultural and gastronomic experiences offered by the destination.
A strong presence at the Riyadh workshop was also recorded by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, as part of its broader strategy to enhance Greece’s positioning in high-spending international markets.
Saudi Arabia is currently one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative outbound tourism markets worldwide. Its total purchasing power for outbound travel is estimated at USD 27.5 billion in 2025, with projections reaching USD 47.8 billion by 2032, reflecting an annual growth rate of 8.2%. Saudi travelers invest heavily in international leisure travel and luxury services such as business-class air travel, five-star hotels, and premium experiences, with families accounting for 42.5% of the total market.
Saudi travelers seek destinations that offer authentic cultural experiences and luxury accommodation, while prioritizing upscale services, privacy, wellness, and personalized travel planning. Cultural and gastronomic authenticity, natural beauty, and economic and political stability are also key decision factors.
Greece has recorded steadily increasing interest from the Saudi market in recent years, reflected in the expansion of direct air connections to Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and Athens, along with a 40% increase in available airline seats in 2025.
The participation of Connecting with the Best at the Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop in Riyadh marked another step in the program’s long-term commitment to strengthening ties with the Saudi tourism market. In recent years, the program has played a substantial role in opening the market, boosting direct air connectivity, and promoting its destinations and members in Saudi Arabia through targeted actions, including previous strategic initiatives in Riyadh.
