CYPRUS: Tourism ministry will be up and running in January

A junior ministry of tourism will begin operations by 2 January 2019, Tourism Minister George Lakkotrypis pledged to the Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA).

Lakkotrypis said key steps taken to upgrade and promote Cyprus tourism include the new ministry, a national tourism strategy for 2017 – 2030 and a legal framework for the operation of tourism accommodation, travel agents and leisure centres.

“We are going ahead with the modernisation of the regulatory framework on tourism issues aiming to facilitate the licensing and operation of businesses in the area of tourism,” said Lakkotrypis.

He also referred to the record number of tourists visiting Cyprus in 2017 which were over 3.65 million, underlining that “even this year when other competitive tourist destinations have recovered, Cyprus has until July hosted over 9.6% more tourists than last year, while revenue until May was up by 4.5%.”

He further pointed out that visitors during the winter season between November and May have nearly doubled compared to 2012-2013.

Top priorities will be increasing tourist arrivals, quality of service, and tackling the problem of seasonality.

The Junior Minister will also be called to carry out the government’s National Tourism Strategy and support investments in tourism by promoting and implementing incentives.

Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Christodoulos Angastiniotis said he expects a “remarkable number” of tourists will visit Cyprus during the winter season, much like last year when 500,000 tourists preferred the island.

He noted that the tourist sector is still faced with quite a few challenges, adding that he expects the government to go ahead with the new tourism strategy.

ACTA President Vasilis Stamataris said that it is especially important that the national strategy is implemented as it has a key role to play in upgrading the tourism industry.