The development of sports tourism is a top priority for Cyprus within the framework of the Tourism Strategic 2003-2010, Commerce Minister, Giorgos Lillikas stated on Tuesday during the 2-day A’ International Conference for Sports in Nicosia.
Mr. Lillikas said that sports tourism contributes to the drop in seasonality, the increase in the expenditure per capita and the increase in recurrent tourism. “Cyprus has prospects to attract sports tourism, not only for professional athletics but also for training and entertainment purposes”, he said.
The government has prepared a 3-year Action Plan 2005-2007 for the development of sports tourism in Cyprus and is currently examining its details.
The plan provides for the launch of a central system of reservations by the Cyprus Sports Organization for the athletic sites while “CSO has proceeded to the preparation of the terms for bids, for the preparation of the necessary software”.
“Within the framework of the enforcement of the Action Plan, the CTO has contributed financially to significant sport events in Cyprus, promoting the island as a sports and tourist destination”, the Minister said.
It is noted that the British Olympic Committee has already reached an agreement with the Cyprus authorities, while a large number of football teams select Cyprus for their winter training.
“We believe that we will succeed in this sector if we take advantage of the favourable weather conditions during winter. That’s why we invest on new infrastructure and we give incentives for the improvement of the existing (infrastructure). Our success will also depend on the initiatives of the private sector”, the Minister concluded.
Mr. Lillikas said that sports tourism contributes to the drop in seasonality, the increase in the expenditure per capita and the increase in recurrent tourism. “Cyprus has prospects to attract sports tourism, not only for professional athletics but also for training and entertainment purposes”, he said.
The government has prepared a 3-year Action Plan 2005-2007 for the development of sports tourism in Cyprus and is currently examining its details.
The plan provides for the launch of a central system of reservations by the Cyprus Sports Organization for the athletic sites while “CSO has proceeded to the preparation of the terms for bids, for the preparation of the necessary software”.
“Within the framework of the enforcement of the Action Plan, the CTO has contributed financially to significant sport events in Cyprus, promoting the island as a sports and tourist destination”, the Minister said.
It is noted that the British Olympic Committee has already reached an agreement with the Cyprus authorities, while a large number of football teams select Cyprus for their winter training.
“We believe that we will succeed in this sector if we take advantage of the favourable weather conditions during winter. That’s why we invest on new infrastructure and we give incentives for the improvement of the existing (infrastructure). Our success will also depend on the initiatives of the private sector”, the Minister concluded.
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