Tourism Deputy Minister Costas Koumis announced on Wednesday the approval, by the Cabinet, of a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia on tourism as well as the establishment of a tourism observatory at the Deputy Ministry aiming to strengthen the competitiveness of Cyprus’ tourist product.

In statements after the Cabinet, Koumis said that the signing of an MoU was approved, with both parties recognising the need to strengthen their bilateral cooperation with the aim of further increasing tourism flows.

He said that the memorandum is expected to help in establishing closer cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector, in the exchange of know-how and information, in the development of special forms of tourism, in cooperation in education programs related to tourism and in the development of cooperation in audiovisual production material and tourism products.

Replying to a question the Deputy Minister said that next Sunday is travelling to Saudi Arabia and will promote Cyprus as a destination in all three cities with which Cyprus will soon have an air connection. He said that this is a new, emerging market with few arrivals to date and that "we hope that because of the air connection and also the fact that Saudis are increasing their travels outside S. Arabia, we will have better results."

The Deputy Minister said that we need the recognition of our country as a tourist destination to increase in S. Arabia and we will work strongly in this direction.

Replying to another question, he said that no target was set for a specific number of arrivals and that we are in communication with our Embassy in S. Arabia and tourism entrepreneurs and we are optimistic that for the first year we will have good results.

Establishment of a Tourism Observatory

Koumis also announced the establishment of a tourism observatory with the aim of recording figures concerning the entire range of Cyprus’ tourist activities.

He said that this monitoring service will collect data and provide thorough information to all agencies to enhance the competitiveness of the tourist sector. He added that it will collect and process primary or secondary research results from various sources.

The Deputy Minister explained that this service will work as a unit within the Deputy Ministry and added that we need to strengthen the sector and he is convinced that it will help to this end.

Replying to a question, he said that these data and figures will be presented from time to time and there will be absolute transparency.

He referred for example to the issue of noise pollution, saying that it is an issue seriously discussed that affects tourist areas. Koumis said that indeed there is a problem, but not all tourist areas are faced with it. He explained that there is hope that they will be able to identify those specific areas with the most intense issue in order for measures to be taken.

The Deputy Minister said that it is important to stress that these data will also be distributed to local authorities and others involved such as ministries.