Cyprus crisis meeting to boost tourism

The Cyprus Crisis Management Committee on Tourism has decided to submit to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism a number of measures to boost Cyprus’ tourism industry, amidst the world financial crisis.

The Committee convened Tuesday to discuss the world financial crisis and its repercussions on Cyprus’ tourism and hotel industry. It also analyzed the prospects of the industry and exchanged views on the measures that must be taken.

President of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), Panos Egglezos, told a press conference that the world financial crisis will most probably affect Cyprus’ tourism industry, at least during the current year.

''The Committee exchanged views on how to best avoid the crisis, or how the world economic crisis could have the least possible impact on our tourism”, he said, adding that the Committee has decided a number of measures to be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism for implementation.

Egglezos said that according to CTO information, tourist travel organisers have begun asking for price reductions on tourism packages which vary between 5- 15%.

One more aspect that needs to be tackled, he added, is the issue concerning flight connections of Cyprus with other countries.

“This issue has not been discussed during our meeting, but it constitutes an obstacle for the Cyprus tourism industry”, he said, adding that an improvement is imperative.

Replying to questions, the CTO President said that the government’s financial aid, reaching 12 million euro, towards CTO, will be used for targeted advertising and for promoting tourism through travel organizers, air companies and through CTO’s offices abroad.

Concluding, he said that Cyprus has a lot to offer to tourists and will remain a tourist destination.

“I believe that Cyprus is a very good country for tourism, it offers hospitality, safety, sun, sea, quality. All these can keep Cyprus on the tourist map and we must all work together to succeed in our goals”, he said.