Sustainability is key for further tourism development says Deputy Minister

Greece and Cyprus must proceed with respect for the environment and the principles of sustainability in further developing their tourism product, as they are both destinations depended on their natural beauty, said Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis at the 2nd Cyprus-Greece Summit in Nicosia on Wednesday afternoon.

Noting that tourism is a great asset for both countries, he said that in 2023 the contribution of tourism in Greece exceeded 19% of GDP and in Cyprus it reached 12.9%, while it is estimated that in 2024 it will rise to 13.5%.

Asked about the similarities and differences between the two destinations, Koumis said that the most obvious common element is that they are both largely "sun and sea" destinations. "We are also hospitable people, with common elements of history and mythology, which we both try to promote," he said. As for the differences, he said Greece is a bigger destination, the history of Greece's civilization is widely known, and its capital, Athens, has a strong brand name.

Referring to a common negative element for both destinations, the Deputy Minister spoke about the issue of seasonality. Noting that demand is much lower in winter than in summer, he gave the example of outbound travel demand in the UK, which he said is down 40% in winter. The point, however, he said, is to make the destination available in the winter months as well, noting a number of government measures to achieve this.

Regarding available flights in the two countries, he said that Cyprus has two international airports, while Greece has 15. He added that 55 companies operate routes in Cyprus and noted that the bet was for the airlines to come back after the pandemic or increase the density of their flight schedules. "We have succeeded," he said, noting that Cyprus won a global destination of the year award at a global airline conference in Bahrain on improving air connectivity.

However, he pointed out as a major difference between Cyprus and Greece the fact that Cyprus does not have direct flights from China and the USA. "We are paying the price for the fact that Cyprus' population cannot sustain outbound tourism" to these destinations, he said, noting that they are trying to find ways to increase demand from these two regions. He expressed, however, optimism that an air link with India is possible in 2026 if the companies the Deputy Ministry spoke to are able to acquire the aircraft they are waiting for in time.

The Deputy Minister also referred to the Greek Government's initiative for the creation of a Coastal and Marine Tourism Observatory about a year ago. He noted that the aim is to protect the Mediterranean coastline, as both destinations depend on coastal tourism, with beaches being their comparative advantage. He noted that the number of coasts with erosion problems is very high. "A holistic approach is imperative and required. As a country we supported the initiative," he said.

In conclusion, he said that the biggest challenge for both countries is the continuation of the upward trend in tourism, as the daily life of thousands of families in Cyprus and Greece depends on it. However, he pointed out that the biggest challenge is to show respect for the environment and the principles of sustainability, as in both countries tourism depends on their natural beauty.