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Dear President and members of the Cyprus Travel Agents Association,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all I would like to thank you for the invitation to be with you today representing the state, but first and foremost I would like to thank you for our admittedly excellent cooperation.
At the same time, I would like to underline the state's recognition of the rich work that you are doing, and I am not only referring to the present but also to your contribution to the development and strengthening of our country's tourism sector.
One month before the end of the year, we express our satisfaction with the very satisfactory performance achieved this year, despite the major challenges we have faced.
The figures show that in terms of arrivals, the year will end with a 21% increase compared to 2022, and close to the performance of 2019, the record year for tourism in our country, while in terms of revenues, we are probably heading towards a new record.
The hard and methodical work of all those involved in our country's tourism system, including you, of course, seems to be paying off.
The contribution of tourism to our country's economy remains extremely high, with multiplier benefits for society.
For the coming year, following our contacts in the Nordic countries, in France, in Great Britain, in Poland last week, and of course taking into account all that is being reported by our partners around the world, but also by you, we are cautiously optimistic.
One challenge that has been facing our tourism industry for decades is certainly that of extending the tourist season or mitigating the problem of seasonality.
An issue and a problem that we know very well characterises the vast majority of Mediterranean destinations, or at least those destinations that are described as sun and sea destinations.
I would like you to know that both we, as the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, and the government as a whole have focused on this effort, which, as I have mentioned, is unfortunately a perennial problem, but also a perennial objective of the state.
An objective which, although it has been discussed for decades, has not been achieved.
It is not an easy objective, nor is it a problem that can be solved within a few days.
It is not an easy objective, nor is it a problem that can be solved within a few days. To extend the tourist season, therefore, as you well know, much is needed.
- Cooperation between all tourism stakeholders.
- Improvement and strengthening of air links during the winter months, or at least during the months at the beginning and end of the tourist season.
- Operating our tourist resorts for a longer period of time and getting rid of the seasonal working culture.
- Solving the issues related to working capital.
- Improving city-to-city connectivity.
- Enhancing the tourism experience and highlighting the authentic Cyprus and the rich history of our country.
- Strengthening special forms of tourism.
- Promotion and internationalisation of our country's gastronomy.
- Further promotion of enrichment projects.
And, in general, alignment of all of us towards the objective of extending the tourist season. This is the main objective. Alignment of all of us.
As the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and I personally as the political head, I would like to assure you that we use every opportunity in this direction.
This includes the political element. I am referring to economic diplomacy, in which President Christodoulides is investing and has actually highlighted.
By the way, I would like to inform you about our latest initiative that we took as Deputy Ministry of Tourism, two weeks ago in Malta, during the "Mediterranean Tourism Forum Minister's Summit".
We presented a very specific proposal that was welcomed by all the delegates, especially the Europeans.
We proposed that the European Union develop a social tourism programme whereby European citizens, on the basis of income criteria, would be given the opportunity to visit other European countries during periods of low demand.
The benefits of such a project would be multi-dimensional.
A. European citizens will be given the opportunity to visit other European countries, thus strengthening the European awareness of the citizens of the Member States of the European Union.
B. Destinations will benefit, since we are referring to periods of low demand.
And of course it will be an important step towards reducing seasonality.
For our country, tourism is undoubtedly one of the strongest pillars of the economy, with a consistently strong contribution to the economy. After all, it has been successful for more than 50 years, always referring to the model that has prevailed in recent decades.
Undoubtedly, Cyprus has now established itself as an extremely beautiful and mature destination, with very good public and private infrastructure. At the same time, however, as is the case with any tourist destination, problems arise as a result of time and human activity. Problems whose solution is always a challenge.
The challenges for tourism in our country today are many, and certainly all these issues that need to be managed or resolved for the Deputy Ministry of Tourism are a priority, but also a responsibility.
The tourism of our country in order to remain competitive in the international tourism scene, the air connection should be maintained at a good level or even further enhanced the tourist experience should be constantly enriched,
The promotional actions of our country should be intense and distinct.
While at the same time we should not rest for the good level of infrastructure. It is for this reason that as a Deputy Ministry we have ensured that funds are drawn from the Recovery and Resilience Fund to achieve what was the reason for the establishment of the fund, a resilient but also competitive economy.
So we have the intention, and I think it is confirmed daily by our actions and actions, to deal with all these challenges.
The bill entitled "The Law on the Establishment and Operation of Restaurants and Entertainment Places" is being finalized these days and very soon it will be submitted for legislative review to the legal department, while the bill entitled "The Law on the Regulation of the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation", which concerns the operation and licensing of hotel businesses, has already been submitted for legislative review.
At the same time, as a Deputy Ministry we are making every effort to find solutions to all issues related to labour capital in the tourism sector, while we have also submitted suggestions and opinions on a number of other issues, such as the landscaping of the surrounding areas of monuments and attractions and many others.
Very soon, an update of the 2035 strategy is expected to be completed, with particular emphasis now on the principles of sustainable development, green transition, digital transformation and further improvement of accessibility infrastructure.
Tourism is therefore an asset that is affected by many endogenous and exogenous factors, while at the same time it benefits a number of other economic activities, as well as society as a whole. Undoubtedly, the benefits that accrue through tourism are enormous but also multiplying for our society. That is why it is necessary to align ourselves for even better results, but also to act in a protective manner whenever necessary.
Dear President and members of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Travel Agents Association, I would like to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for the excellent cooperation, but also you personally, dear Vassilis, as I have been informed that you are handing over the reins of the Association today.
I would like to wish the new administration every success. As the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, we will stand by and support your every effort,
Every effort that raises the tourism of our country higher.
All of us united together can bring even better results.
AFY
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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