Cyprus CTO Chairman says measures to boost tourism are successful

Chairman of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) Panos Englezos said on Monday that the government measures to boost Cypriot tourism have borne fruit and that the prices of packages have been reduced.

Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee of Finance, Englezos assured that every effort was being made by the Organisation and the government, in cooperation with the tourism industry, to maintain last year's tourist arrival levels.

Presenting the Organisation's budget, Englezos and CTO Director General Phoebe Katsouris told the MPs that there was a reduction of 14% in bookings during January and February 2009 for the summer period compared to last year.

The CTO budget provides for 102,011,722 euros income and the same amount expenditure, which are by about 22 million euros increased compared to last year's 79,908,299 euros.

Englezos said that the income will be 6,399,550 euros, with state funding reaching 95,612,172 euros, compared to 73,897,012 euros in 2008.

Expenditure will include 67,880,240 euros for publicity, 12,189,000 euros for the organisation and development of the tourist product, 14,965,852 euros for salaries, 231,100 euros for staff training and 568,000 euros for the Larnaca marina.