According to today's announcement, Mr. Gavriel, in his intervention in a debate on sustainable tourism in the context of the European Green Deal, highlighted the adverse consequences that will be caused to the tourism industry and the entire tourism chain when the sector is called upon to implement costly actions at the same time as it struggles to survive the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
He also highlighted the risk of passing these costs on to consumers and by extension to tourists, making travel a luxury for the few. The impact of the implementation of the European Green Deal on Cyprus, a remote island, with limited access and a significant number of imports of basic goods, is expected to be even greater than in other member states, he stressed. He made special reference to air navigation which, he pointed out, will lead to a rapid increase in the prices of basic goods, as well as the cost of living.
He also warned of the risk of Europe becoming an unattractive tourist destination, since due to increased costs of the tourist product, tourists will choose cheaper tourist destinations outside the EU, which do not follow the EU's green policies. In order to have effective initiatives and measures to promote green policies, the EU should take action to conclude international agreements with third countries.
In his intervention on the same subject, Mirianthous said that tourism had suffered a serious blow as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and that, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the consequent increase in prices, new serious consequences for tourism in the whole of Europe are expected. Mirianthous stressed that these crises should be of concern to all stakeholders and that it is time to adopt a more integrated tourism policy
It is necessary, the Cypriot MEP underlined, to transform tourism into a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive sector. He also stressed that the intense growth of tourism causes adverse environmental impacts, for which there is an urgent need to develop a policy to support local authorities and small and medium-sized enterprises, so that they are able to adapt their operations with the minimum possible impact on the environment.
Small and medium-sized enterprises[/B], Mr Myrianthous pointed out, are responsible for a large part of tourism activity and emphasis must be placed on protecting the natural environment, the cultural environment and folk traditions. Finally, Mirianthous stressed the importance of developing rural tourism, strengthening the tourism sector with emphasis on the countryside, promoting the circular economy in hotel facilities and enhancing the tourism product in rural areas.
Source: KYPE
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