President of the Republic Demetris Christofias has described 2009 as probably the most difficult year in the history of tourism in Cyprus, due to the global financial crisis which has affected many countries from which the island attracts tourists.
Addressing the Cyprus Hoteliers Association (PASYXE) Annual General Meeting here on Tuesday, President Christofias said that between the beginning of this year until May 15, the number of tourist arrivals decreased by 9.8%, compared to last year’s figures.
He stressed that this situation brings forward another serious problem which needs to be addressed, and relates to the almost complete dependence of the local tourist industry on countries which traditionally supply Cyprus with tourists.
“As a result of the global financial crisis – including job losses and a drop in businesses in various fields – summer vacation is probably not a high priority for everybody,” he noted.
For Cyprus, however, a country where tourism is very importance, it is necessary to make a collective effort to achieve the best possible results and maintain our share in the world and especially the European tourist market, he added.
President Christofias assured that for the state the tourist industry remains a high priority, noting that in 2008 the government has earmarked 4.5 euro for winter tourism with good results.
“The common objective is to upgrade the quality of the tourist product and maintain its competitiveness. We also have to restructure and reshape the services we offer,” he said.
He noted that since the beginning of this year until mid-May, the number of tourist arrivals has reached 526,793 compared with 584,335 in 2008, recording a decrease of 9.8%.
He also said that the figures of the first four months of 2009 prove that each tourist spends more this year than the year before, marking an increase from 628 to 643 euro, with a total revenue growth reaching 2.8 % in nominal terms.
“Our strategic goal is a more dynamic and effective promotion of Cyprus, enhancing our tourist product and upgrading services offered,” he said and appealed to Cypriots to take advantage of special deals and spend their summer holidays this year at home.
The President of the Hoteliers Association Haris Loizides, in his address at the AGM, appealed to everybody to “look to the future and not to today or yesterday.”
“Let us approach this financial crisis with an open mind, look at it as an opportunity and with a disposition for changes which will lay sound foundations for tourism in tomorrow’s Cyprus,” he said.
Those who are prepared for the end of the crisis, he added, will be able to meet the new challenges and benefit from them.
He called on the government to start planning from now and announce, in conjunction with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, support measures for the tourist industry in good time, including for 2010.
CTO Chairman Panos Egglezos said efforts to promote, restructure, diversify and enhance the island’s tourist industry continue.
He said the CTO has acted in time and decisively to contain the fallout from the world economic crisis, through tactical advertising and targeted campaigns. He also called for adjustment to the demands of the tourists from specific countries, in food, entertainment and special preferences.
