The cooperation of the public and private sectors to further strengthen and promote the tourism product was the common reference during the General Assembly of the Hoteliers Association (PASYXE) that took place on Tuesday. This was the last time Harris Loizides, the Head of PASYXE addressed the GA as he steps down after twenty years.

Addressing the GA President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, highlighted the resilience of the tourism industry, despite the challenges tourism was faced with. He said that the tourist industry has the ability to cope with any challenges, adding that the state recognizes the hoteliers’ decisive contribution to the local economy over the years.

He referred to the challenges before us such as the inflation and the increase in rates at an international level but also the climate crisis, green transition and digital transformation, which undoubtedly affect tourism and the competitiveness of our country.

President said that there is a plan to face these difficulties, having a robust economy, making special reference to the previous government, the former President of the Republic and former FinMin.

He pointed out the need for collaboration with the private sector to reach a common plan and coordinate actions.

He recalled that the Cabinet has already approved the establishment of the Tourism Promotion Agency and therefore the participation of the private sector in the decision-making process for the promotion of our country as a tourist destination.

According to President Christodoulides, the continuous upgrading of infrastructures, which are directly intertwined with the strengthening of the competitiveness of our country's tourism product, is of decisive importance.

The President referred to the marinas under construction, in Agia Napa, Paralimni, Larnaca as well as the tender announcement for the Paphos Marina, saying that these are important steps forward that will certainly strengthen the tourism product of our country.

He said that the hotel industry, in particular, is of the most basic pillars of the Cypriot economy and assured the hoteliers that the state will be by their side and will support them.

He also made special reference to Harris Loizides and his 20-year tenure, his role and his devotion.

Tourism Deputy Minister Costas Koumis also highlighted the cooperation with professional associations and agencies, in order to strengthen tourism. He said that PASYXE GA coincides with the end of a period, during which tourism both in our country and at the international level was faced with unprecedented challenges.

He said that 2022 was also full of new challenges for Cyprus, as there was a loss of almost 900,000 arrivals that had to be replaced by other markets such as Poland, Israel, Germany and France.

Koumis said that the target is a 5% - 10% annual increase in tourist flows by 2023, saying the announcement was modestly optimistic in a period when there is fading recession in the United Kingdom, Cyprus' largest market, rise of inflation in Europe, while the Russian market, Cyprus's second largest market, is gone.

He said that we see a slowdown in bookings, which is a global phenomenon.

The Deputy Minister also said that the aim is to also solve long-lasting problems the industry is faced with such as the extension of the tourist period.

Outgoing President of PASYXE Harris Loizides called on everyone to continue to support the tourism product. He said that all these years they have done everything humanly possible to strengthen and protect the hospitality industry and by extension the Cypriot economy.

The GA presented Savvas Perdios with an award, as Cyprus’ first Tourism Deputy Minister. An award was also given to Zacharias Ioannidis, who served as the General Director of the Association for almost 40 years.