The Government considers tourism as a priority pillar, stated on Friday Deputy Minister of Tourism Κostas Koumis at the opening of the Travel Expo Cyprus 2023 exhibition.

He added that President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides' administration programme includes specific and multifaceted actions for the crucial tourism sector of the country. Many of these actions have already begun to be implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, while for many others, the action begins these days, as specific timelines and goals have already been set.

"Updating the National Tourism Strategy with a horizon of 2035 is a top priority for us, taking into account the course of tourism worldwide, the new market trends as they have evolved in the post-Covid era, the necessary course towards sustainable development, and many more," he noted.

Koumis added that among the government's top priorities is also the resolution of longstanding issues that affect the country's tourism sector, such as the modernization of relevant legislation regulating the licensing and operation of tourist accommodations and recreational centers, the creation of an effective legislative framework to limit noise pollution, as well as the introduction of legislative regulations for new forms of tourism.

"Among the government's main goals, which are also linked to the main themes of the Travel Expo Cyprus 2023 exhibition, is certainly the extension of the tourist season in the first phase, as well as the gradual establishment of Cyprus as a year-round destination. The government's goals also include further strengthening of the country's air connectivity and the maintaining good maritime connectivity,"  the Deputy Minister said.

He added that a top priority sector is also the promotion of major infrastructure projects that have proven to be supportive of the competitiveness of the country's tourism product.

Koumis emphasised the need for "all stakeholders in our country and each of us individually to proceed with respect for the environment, cultural, and certainly social authenticity. At the same time, we should support every effort towards the digital transformation of participants in our country's tourism system." This way, he noted, the tourism sector in the country will become truly resilient and highly competitive.

On his part, Greece's Ambassador to Cyprus, Ioannis Papameletiou, stated that bilateral relations in the tourism sector are very strong. He referred to data from the Bank of Greece, according to which 801,000 Cypriots  visited Greece in 2019, and 733,000 in 2022, a year of tourism recovery. Similarly, he added, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus, the number of Greeks who visited Cyprus in 2022 came to 170,000.

He noted that the increase in air seats and air connectivity between the two countries, which continues in 2023, played a crucial role in the positive results of 2022. The airlines that operate flights between Greece and Cyprus are Aegean Airlines, Cyprus Airways, Sky Express, TUS Airways, Ryanair, and Wizz Air, as well as direct flights to Greek islands during the summer season.

"The strengthening of travel flows between the two countries is expected to continue this year, given that during the high tourist season of July-August, Greece and Cyprus will be connected with approximately 150 flights per week," he said.

He further said the resumption of the Cyprus-Greece ferry route, after 21 years, during the summer of 2022 with 18 routes and very good results, contributed to this positive dynamic, as a total of 7,500 passengers and 2,500 vehicles were transported. A total of 22 routes are scheduled for 2023, 14 from Limassol and 8 from Larnaca port. He also said that Greece welcomes about 40% of Cyprus' outbound tourism.

Ambassador Papameletiou said "despite these exceptional results, we do not rest. The current Greek strategy for the Cypriot market aims, among other things, to promote and strengthen religious and pilgrimage tourism, cultural tourism, winter tourism and city breaks, as well as to highlight less well-known tourist destinations in Greece and to spread incoming tourism to more regions of the country."

The Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA) President, Vasilis Stamataris, said the fair's upgrading is expected to attract more exhibitors from Cyprus, Greece, and abroad, turning it into a regional one.

After referring to the significant increase in travel movement during the first months of 2023, he expressed his optimism for the tourism performance during this year's summer.

Stamataris emphasized that ACTA members are fully prepared to serve all visitors with reliability and responsibility.

Travel Expo Cyprus is organized every year by the Association of Cyprus Travel Agents and Display Art Group of Companies. This year it is taking place from April 21st to 23rd at the Cyprus State Fairgrounds in Nicosia. The exhibition constitutes the ideal forum where the Cypriot traveller can obtain correct and comprehensive information on tourist destinations and travel packages from all over the world.

Tour operators, airlines, International Tourism Authorities and local organizations, district offices from Cyprus and Greece, Cyprus and international hotel chains, foreign countries and other travel and tourism related parties participate in the exhibition with their own pavilions.