TRAVEL: Cyprus expects serious growth in cruise tourism

Cyprus can expect a serious increase in cruise tourism over the coming years, Deputy Minister for Tourism Savvas Perdios said.

---

Perdios headed a Cypriot delegation at this week’s “Seatrade Europe”, Europe’s largest international cruise and river cruise fair in Hamburg.

“We have presented the product of Cyprus, our competitive advantages and if everything goes right with geopolitics in the area, I think that in the coming years there will be a serious growth of cruising in Cyprus,” he told the Cyprus News Agency,

He said that cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean subsided over recently because of geopolitical developments in the region.

“Cruise ships visited Cyprus 30 times last year. This number has increased to 60 this year, while for 2020 almost a hundred visits have been scheduled. Sales for 2021 are also “on a good course,” said Perdios.

Big cruise companies such as Royal Caribbean, MSC, Costa, Silversea, Norwegian, Tui, Αida, Holland America and Carnival are interested in Cypru

Perdios said his Deputy Ministry was making an effort to get European cruise companies who are particularly interested in the Mediterranean to increase the duration of their stay in Cyprus from a few hours to a few days.

“Customers of winter season cruise tourism are aged over 50, which is fully in line with the goals of the 2030 National Tourism Strategy.”

He argued that Cyprus is an ideal destination for boutique cruises, as well as for cruises during the winter season, unlike other competitive summer destinations, such as the Greek islands and Croatia, and this could bring the island closer to its target of extending the tourist season.

“Therefore, cruise tourism constitutes a very good addition for Cyprus.”

He said that Cyprus was ready to cooperate with other countries in the area in this sector, especially with Israel.  

A decision for Cyprus to participate in the “Seatrade Europe” fair every year has been taken and it remains to be decided whether this will be done together with other countries, said Perdios