President of the Republic Demetris Christofias said on Wednesday that the tourism sector was a top priority for the government and assured that ''the development and progress of tourism is a strategic goal, to which, with the collective efforts and substantive contribution of everyone, we will continue to respond with success.''
Addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises (ACTE), President Christofias referred to the problems caused by the global financial crisis and noted that ''with specific measures and initiatives we have managed to reverse the downward course and lead the tourism sector in Cyprus to positive growth once again.''
''The government, with the timely implementation in 2009 and the expansion of the package of measures to support the tourism industry in 2010, actively supported the tourist economy, preventing much steeper downward trends in 2009 and contributed to the creation of recovery conditions in 2010,'' he said.
He added that ''in 2010 there was an increase in revenue from tourism around 5% and, according to all available data and indications, despite the variable nature of the tourist sector, we expect an even more significant rise this year.''
''The results in the tourist sector in 2010 played an important role along with other crucial factors in the Cypriot economy reaching positive growth rates, twice as high as the initial estimate. From the initial projection of 0.5%, the Cypriot economy finally reached 1% positive growth rate. The further increase of the tourist flow expected this year will give a strong impetus to the economy which, based on our conservative evaluations, will reach 1.5% and according to the calculations of the International Monetary Fund 1.7%,'' he said.
He added that ''these results did not come about on their own but continuous monitoring of the facts and developments by the government, the state services, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the business people, including ACTE of course, was demanded, as well as coordination of our forces and substantive measures.''
The President noted that ''the significant rise in the influx of tourists from the Russian market is the most characteristic example,'' adding that, ''apart from the Russian market, the British market is appearing significantly improved, while other priority markets, such as those of Germany and the Scandinavian countries, are also appearing improved.''
President Christofias assured that ''we do not consider that all the problems in the tourist sector have been solved, on the contrary we are working to solve the long-standing problems and to create even better prospects for the tourism sector.''
''However, it is true that in the very harsh financial environment globally, due to the global financial crisis, in an especially competitive climate, in a very short time we managed to bring Cypriot tourism back on the track of growth to the benefit of the economy and our people,'' he said.
President Christofias noted that, ''in strategically planning the future of Cypriot tourism, we place emphasis on major infrastructure projects that will allow for further development in time,'' adding that ''an important axis of our planning is the implementation of the new Strategic Plan of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation for the period 2011-2015,'' for which the preconditions are ''respect of the environment and the special nature of our homeland, and the tackling of possible problematic social implications.''
''We are creating the infrastructure for the development of conference tourism. Our government is promoting the upgrading of Cyprus' infrastructure, which is linked to Cyprus assuming the EU presidency during the second half of 2012. The Nicosia Conference Centre is scheduled to be ready in time for Cyprus' EU presidency, while regarding the Limassol Conference Centre, efforts are continuing to promote the project by state departments and private enterprises,'' he said.
Regarding the marinas, President Christofias said that ''work for the construction of a third marina in Limassol are underway and the target for completing the project is the assumption of the EU presidency,'' while at the same time ''efforts are continuing for the construction of marinas in Larnaca and Ayia Napa.''
Referring to the golf courses, President Christofias said that ''recently the fourth golf course in our country operated, with high specifications, in Paphos, while this year construction works are expected to begin for two more golf courses in Larnaca and Paphos.''
Concluding his remakrs, he said that ''we place emphasis on the air link between Cyprus and new destinations and this prospect will provide an opportunity for a large number of tourists to visit,'' noting that ''already existing air links with new destinations have proved to be especially positive for Cypriot tourism.''
