Cyprus Tourism Organization Chairman, Fotis Fotiou proceeded to a positive revision of the forecasts on tourism for 2005. Within the framework of the press conference held on Tuesday, Mr. Fotiou stated that tourist arrivals will show an increase of 7% by the end of 2005 and a marginal increase of 2-3% in tourist revenues. Formerly, the CTO anticipated an increase of 5% in tourist arrivals and stabilization in revenues.
For January-July 2005, revenues recorded an increase of 1.5% but they still fall short of tourist arrivals. The gap between the two has aroused strong feelings to hotel owners, who demand the enforcement of the strategic plan for tourism.
The main aim of the strategic plan is “the increase in revenues which is a complicated parameter and incorporates the performance of arrivals, the performance of the duration of stay, the tourists’ expenditure, the seasonality and the recurrent tourism which amounts to 38%”, Mr. Fotiou said.
“This is not a target to achieve from one day to another. It will be the result of a successful enforcement of the strategic plan and the improvement of quality standards. The CTO efforts are not enough. The private sector must contribute and promote investment and business acts. These acts will contribute to the improvement of quality and will serve the targets of our strategic plan”, CTO Chairman said.
The strategic plan is a national issue
“The enforcement of the strategic plan for tourism is a “national issue that concerns the CTO, the public and the private sectors and the local authorities. Our tourist product has to deal with competitiveness, the relation between value and price and seasonality”, Mr. Fotiou said.
“Tourist revenues derive mostly from the British, the Greeks, the Germans and the Russians. Tourism from Russia is exceptionally qualitative and I am certain that arrivals from Russia will increase”, he added.
China and India…
As for the other destinations that CTO seeks to attract, Mr. Fotiou said that Cyprus has reached an agreement with Greece and Egypt for the attraction of tourists from China and India. The island is also making efforts to attract tourists from America. “This year, 25,000 Americans visited the island and we are optimistic that this number will increase in the next few years”, he said.
Invited to comment on the competition between the free and the occupied areas, Mr.Fotiou said that the CTO in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry observe the developments and are aware that T/C, Turkish and foreign tour operators pay more to promote tourism in the occupied north. “We, as a CTO, inform foreigners that it is illegal to stay in hotels that belonged to the G/C”, he said.
Six investment plans for golf courts
The infrastructure projects on tourism concern golf courts, marinas in Limassol and Ayia Napa, a conference center in Limassol, a casino etc. “We have already submitted six investment plans, two in Limassol and Paphos, one in Larnaca and one in Ayia Napa. We will soon have a proposal by a large private company for Nicosia as well”, Mr. Fotiou noted.
Casino in 2006
As regards to the opening of a casino in Cyprus, Mr. Fotiou said that this project will add millions of pounds to the state fund and it will be of high quality.
For January-July 2005, revenues recorded an increase of 1.5% but they still fall short of tourist arrivals. The gap between the two has aroused strong feelings to hotel owners, who demand the enforcement of the strategic plan for tourism.
The main aim of the strategic plan is “the increase in revenues which is a complicated parameter and incorporates the performance of arrivals, the performance of the duration of stay, the tourists’ expenditure, the seasonality and the recurrent tourism which amounts to 38%”, Mr. Fotiou said.
“This is not a target to achieve from one day to another. It will be the result of a successful enforcement of the strategic plan and the improvement of quality standards. The CTO efforts are not enough. The private sector must contribute and promote investment and business acts. These acts will contribute to the improvement of quality and will serve the targets of our strategic plan”, CTO Chairman said.
The strategic plan is a national issue
“The enforcement of the strategic plan for tourism is a “national issue that concerns the CTO, the public and the private sectors and the local authorities. Our tourist product has to deal with competitiveness, the relation between value and price and seasonality”, Mr. Fotiou said.
“Tourist revenues derive mostly from the British, the Greeks, the Germans and the Russians. Tourism from Russia is exceptionally qualitative and I am certain that arrivals from Russia will increase”, he added.
China and India…
As for the other destinations that CTO seeks to attract, Mr. Fotiou said that Cyprus has reached an agreement with Greece and Egypt for the attraction of tourists from China and India. The island is also making efforts to attract tourists from America. “This year, 25,000 Americans visited the island and we are optimistic that this number will increase in the next few years”, he said.
Invited to comment on the competition between the free and the occupied areas, Mr.Fotiou said that the CTO in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry observe the developments and are aware that T/C, Turkish and foreign tour operators pay more to promote tourism in the occupied north. “We, as a CTO, inform foreigners that it is illegal to stay in hotels that belonged to the G/C”, he said.
Six investment plans for golf courts
The infrastructure projects on tourism concern golf courts, marinas in Limassol and Ayia Napa, a conference center in Limassol, a casino etc. “We have already submitted six investment plans, two in Limassol and Paphos, one in Larnaca and one in Ayia Napa. We will soon have a proposal by a large private company for Nicosia as well”, Mr. Fotiou noted.
Casino in 2006
As regards to the opening of a casino in Cyprus, Mr. Fotiou said that this project will add millions of pounds to the state fund and it will be of high quality.
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