[PIO] Cyprus Hospitality Awards 2024 - Actions for the internationalisation of Cypriot gastronomy are intensified

Yesterday, Thursday 29 February, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism presented the "Cyprus Hospitality Awards 2024", rewarding excellence in tourism and hospitality. The event, organised in collaboration with the Cyprus Hospitality Association, rewarded distinguished tourism operators and professionals in an effort to showcase good practices and services provided in the tourism sector.

The idea for the "Cyprus Hospitality Awards" came from the strong desire of Kypria Filoxenia and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism to highlight and reward people and businesses that contribute to the high quality of Cypriot hospitality.

The "Cyprus Hospitality Awards" reflect the rich range of tourism services offered by our country, from hotels and restaurants to activities and entertainment experiences. The awards are categorised under two main pillars, 'Hospitality Experience' and 'Online Reputation'.

The first pillar focuses on individual or group achievements, with the public submitting nominations for outstanding hospitality. The second pillar, which relates to Online Reputation, awards businesses based on visitor ratings on various online platforms.

The Cyprus Hospitality Awards highlight the commitment of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism to providing high quality tourism services and of course excellent hospitality.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Tourism Mr. Costas Koumis underlined the importance of the awards, stating that they are a unique opportunity to recognise creativity, professional dedication and leadership in the field of hospitality. Distinguished tourism operators deserve the respect and appreciation of the community and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism recognizes this.

In addition, Mr. Koumis announced the proclamation of this year as the "Year of Gastronomy and Kumantaria", an initiative of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the first international award for kumantaria at the International Wine Competition "La Bataille des Vins."

In addition, Mr. Koumis announced the proclamation of this year as the "Year of Gastronomy and Kumantaria", an initiative of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the first international award for kumantaria at the International Wine Competition "La Bataille des Vins".

The grand winners of the "Cyprus Hospitality Awards 2024", starting from Pillar 1 Hospitality Experience were:

1. Accommodation Experience Category, the award was won by Mrs. Katerina Illyn of "Four Seasons Hotel"
2. Food Experience Category - Restaurants within Hotels/Facilities, the award was won by Mrs. Katina Andreou Petrou of "Tylos Beach Hotel"
3. Food Experience Category - Restaurants outside Hotels, the award was won by Mr. Nikos Vassiliou, owner of the tavern "Symposio"
4. Travel Experience category, the prize was won by the team of Parklane Hotel
5. Entertainment/Leisure/Vitality Experience category, the prize was won by the team of Pioneer Hotel, of the "Constantinos Bros Hotels" group
6. Enrichment Experience category, the prize was won by Mr. Petros Nikolaou, owner of the "Basketry Museum" in Choirokoitia. Christos Constantinou, Director of "MGCM Soccerworld Cyprus"
7. Category Event Experience, the prize was awarded to Mrs. Maria Tofini Chantila, Head of Cultural Services and Weddings of the Municipality of Ayia Napa
8. Category Agrotourism/Rural Tourism Experience, the prize was won by Mr. Mattias Czakay, owner of "Mattias Bike Corner"
9. In the category of Experience of Restoration, the award was won by Mr. Marios Ellinas, with his team, from the hotel "Golden Bay"
10. In the category of Experience of Social Responsibility, the award was given to Mrs. Anna Vassiliou, Manager of Charalambos "Holiday Cottage". In the same category, an award was also given to Mr. Nikos Hadjikosteas, from the hotel "Nissi Beach Resort".
11. In the category Sustainability Experience, the award was won by Mr. Agathoklis Christodoulou from the hotel "Casale Panayiotis".

The big winner for Pillar 1 - Hospitality Experience, "The Philoxenist of the Year", was Mr. Yannis Kontakinos, Operations Manager of Aliathon Village Hotel.

In Pillar 2, entitled Online Reputation:

1. In the First Category, "Accommodation within a Hotel", the award was won by THE BLUE IVY
2. In the Second Category, "Accommodation within a Rural Tourism Accommodation", the award was won by Iosiphis Stonebuilt House
3. In the Food/Restaurant Category Taste Cyprus, within or outside hotels and tourist accommodation, the award was won by Dionysos Mansion
4. In the category Food/Cypriot Breakfast - Cyprus Breakfast, inside or outside hotels and tourist accommodation, the award was won by Alion Hotel
5. In the category Winery, the award was given to the winery that secured the highest rating from visitors for its overall image, The award was won by Monolithos
6. In the category Visitable unit for the production of local products, the company that stood out is Niki's spices
7. In the category Authentic - Unique Experiences, the award was won by Protaras Private Boat Trips (Shirley Valentine Boat)
8. In the category Blue Flag Beach, the award was won by Makronissos Beach
9. In the category Nature Trail/Nature Point, the award was won by Kalidonia Trail
10. In the category Health and Wellness Centre, the prize was won by Sanctum Spa & Fitness
11. In the category Cultural/Religious Points of Interest, the prize was won by the Holy Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi in Kellaki, or Panagia tou Glossa.
12. In the category Sports Infrastructure and/or Services, the award was won by Blue Thunder Diving
13. In the category Theme Park, the award was won by Camel Park

Also, honors were awarded. [*]In the category Restaurants outside of Hotels, to Mr. Panagiolamboulos and Mr. Pavolamboulos, of the restaurant "Four Seasons Hotel". Sotiris Yasemi, Owner of the Cypriot tavern "The Potamos of Militsa" [*]Accommodation Experience category, to the team of the hotel "Atlantica Oasis" [*]Sustainability Experience category, to Mr. Michalis Leonidou, Owner of "Dimma Seaside Houses" [*]The Philoxenist of the Year category, to Mr. Dimitrios Lambrou, Owner and Manager of "Kalypso View Apartments" [*]Travel Experience Category, to Mrs. Christina Charalambous, Public Relations Manager and Hostess of "Sentido Sandy Beach Hotel" [*]Travel Experience Category, to Mr. Dimitrios Lambrou, Owner and Manager of "Kalypso View Apartments" [*]Travel Experience Category, to Mrs. Christina Charalambous, Public Relations Manager and Hostess of "Sentido Sandy Beach Hotel". George Miltiados, Executive Manager of "Cyprus Magnifico Tours" [*]Social Responsibility category, to Ms Kyriaki Kasentzi, Guest Services Officer of "Kanika Hotels and Resorts" [*]Overcompensation experience category, to Ms Katerina Soulioti [/LIST]

Finally, for his 40-year contribution to tourism, an honorary distinction was awarded to the "Pancyprian Association of Hotel Managers".

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