An additional amount of CYP 7 million is to be approved by the Parliament on Thursday, in an effort to intensify the attempts of the Cyprus Tourist Organization to promote the island’s tourism abroad.

On the session of the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, CTO General Manager, Frini Michael informed the MPs on the situation in tourism and expressed the need for a further promotion of the island’s tourism to attract foreign visitors.

Chairman of the House Commerce Committee, Lefteris Christoforou, who was present at the session, agreed that there is a need to boost the CTO, so that it is able promote the Cyprus tourism.

It is noted that according to CTO, the Council of Ministers had decided on March 20, 2003 to grant in addition to the CYP 9,583,200 included in the 2003 budget, the sum of CYP 7,000,000 to cover additional expenses for the promotion.

CTO’s main aim is to reduce the impacts from the war in Iraq, which affected negatively tourist arrivals.

The CTO complementary budget includes the allocation of CYP 40,000 to cover the increased contribution of the Organization to the Welfare Fund of its employees.