I welcome the opening of Travel Expo Cyprus 2023, our country's leading Tourism Exhibition, the exhibition that was introduced to us as "Trip" several years ago, and which has always been a meeting point for the entire tourism market of our country and the people who make it up.
The upgrading of the exhibition with the participation of foreign exhibitors and the obvious effort to further promote special interest tourism are for us as the Deputy Ministry of Tourism noteworthy elements and promising messages.
After all, it is well known that the further promotion of special interest tourism is fully in line with the objectives we have defined and the related actions we are called upon to implement as a Deputy Ministry.
For each special form of tourism presented during the three days of the exhibition, a specific action plan is implemented by the Ministry of State and some cases are supported by grant plans, plans which the officials of the Ministry of State for Tourism declare their readiness to explain to any interested party.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the Cypriot economy and is directly linked to the well-being and quality of life of all the inhabitants of Cyprus.
The government programme of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides includes specific and multifaceted actions for the tourism sector, which is of great importance for our country, indicating that it is considered a priority pillar for the Government.
Many of these actions have already begun to be implemented by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, while for many others the action is starting these days, as specific timetables and targets have already been set.
A key priority for us is the updating of the National Tourism Strategy, with a time horizon of 2035, certainly taking into account the course of tourism globally, the new market trends as they have evolved in the post-Covid era, the necessary course towards sustainable development and much more.
Our key priorities certainly include the resolution of long-standing issues affecting our country's tourism sector, such as the modernisation of the relevant legislation regulating the licensing and operation of tourist accommodation and leisure centres, the creation of an effective legislative framework for the reduction of noise pollution, and the introduction of legislative regulations for newly established forms of tourism.
The main objectives of the Government, which is also linked to the main theme of the Travel Expo Cyprus 2023 exhibition, is of course the extension of the tourist season in the first phase, but also the gradual establishment of Cyprus as a year-round destination.
The government's objectives also include, of course, the further strengthening of our country's air connection, the maintenance of good coastal shipping connections, and the promotion of major infrastructure projects that have been proven to enhance the competitiveness of our country's tourism product, which is also a top priority for us.
From this platform, I would like to reiterate the need for all the stakeholders of our country, and each of us individually, to proceed with respect for the environment, cultural and certainly social authenticity.
At the same time, we should support every effort towards the digital transformation of the stakeholders in the tourism system of our country.
In this way, the tourism sector in our country will become truly resilient and highly competitive.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In order to achieve our common objectives, because the objectives of tourism are and should be common to all of us, it is necessary to ensure excellent cooperation between all the actors that make up our country's tourism system.
The Cyprus Association of Travel Agents has been for years one of the long-standing partners of the Ministry of Tourism, and certainly one of the pillars of the collective effort to upgrade tourism in our country.
Our promise is that we will be by your side next year, for a much stronger Travel Expo Cyprus 2023.
Thank you!
(AF)
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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