Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister, Giorgos Lillikas said on Thursday that the evaluation study on the new data in tourism in case of a Cyprus settlement will be ready in early April, stressing that the findings of the study will be an important issue of discussion with the social partners.

Addressing the 26th PASYXE Annual Hotel Seminar, Mr. Lillikas said that the study will not only deal with the positive or negative impacts from the possible reunification of the island, but it will also trace the Strategic of an Action Plan for the reunified Cyprus. “The study will focus on how will we reverse the possible negative impacts or how will we promote Cyprus as a single space to avoid internal competition”, he continued.

PASYXE Chairman, Haris Loizides stressed that the contribution of tourism in a reunified Cyprus will be the most important factor that will support the new economy.

It is noted that the Annan plan does not provide for a single tourist Authority, but a separate Authority for each component state. This, however, has raised serious concerns as it is believed that it might lead to internal competition between the free and the occupied territories of the island.

The study, which is carried out by experts on behalf of CTO, is fairly timely, as it coincides with the start of the new round of talks on the Cyprus issue on the process and timetable agreed in New York.