“Short escapes” offers great Cyprus bargains, boosts local tourism

New incentives for groups

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation is repeating last year’s “Short Escapes” campaign to encourage people to visit local hotels over the weekends, either at seaside hotels or in agrotourism units.
With fewer than 50 hotels, hotel apartments and inns taking part in the programme by offering special discounted rates, CTO officials said that last year’s campaign attracted a higher-than expected number of more than 1,000 packages sold.
“More (hotels) join our campaign once they have seen the brochure and they are included on the website,” said CTO Director General Phoebe Katsouri.
The mountain resorts have been added to this year’s programme, as have special incentives to groups of 20 or more that will be provided with free bus shuttles by the CTO.
“We have also appealed to our expat Cypriots, primarily those living in the U.K., to log on to our website (www.shortescapes.com ) and make their reservations. We also have recommendations for nearby restaurants and tavernas that are also participating in our programme for the second year,” Katsouri said.
The programme also includes guided tours to historical sites and walks to natural beauty spots and along nature trains.
The “Short Escapes” programme is already underway and will remain until the end of June 2010.