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- Ελληνικά
Dedicated to man and the planet, with an appeal for targeting the human factor that curates the ancient value of hospitality, the World Tourism Day was celebrated in Lefkara
An appeal for targeting the green transition and green investments
At the historic Lefkara Primary School on Friday, 22 September 2023, an event on the occasion of the World Tourism Day 2023, which was held under the auspices of the President of the Republic Mr.
The event, which was attended by representatives of the tourism and hotel industry, stakeholders from the local public and private sector, the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Mr. George Papanastasiou, as well as other personalities, highlighted the vital importance for Cyprus of the tourism and hospitality sector, which contributes decisively to the cultural, economic and environmental development of Cyprus.
The event, which was attended by representatives of the tourism and hotel industry, as well as by the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Mr. George Papanastasiou and other personalities, highlighted the vital importance for Cyprus of the tourism and hospitality sector, which contributes decisively to the cultural, economic and environmental development of Cyprus.
This year's World Tourism Day 2023 message focuses on tourism and green investments, highlighting the need to develop sustainable practices and responsible, targeted investments that will strengthen and upgrade the tourism sector. Costas Koumis, during his address, highlighted the World Tourism Organization's call for investment in people and said:
"Woe to the state, the institution, the sector, society that does not invest in people", stressing that decision-making and planning actions to support the green transition is not and should not be a catchy slogan, but an immediate need and imperative responsibility.
The Nicos Christodoulides Government, he stressed, is determined to contribute to this and has so far taken a number of decisions, such as the enactment of the well-known virtual net billing measure, The Deputy Minister also stressed that there is no longer any doubt that as Cyprus we are having a good year in terms of arrivals and revenue performance.
"With arrivals recording an increase of 24.5% for the first eight months, and revenues so far recording an increase of more than 30% compared to last year, we cannot but be satisfied," he added.
He also stressed that it is important to remember that tourism, as the most important pillar of our country's economy, brings multiplier benefits to the economy, local communities and the whole of Cyprus, proving to be the lever of exit from the crises that our island enters from time to time.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism also stressed that the needs, goals and vision for tourism in Cyprus cannot but be common, noting also that the high goals of tourism require alignment, solidarity and unity of all.
The Deputy Minister's address was followed by a historical review of the hotel industry in Cyprus, which included the most important milestones of the sector on the island, highlighting the evolution of the sector and paying tribute to the historic hotels that played a key role in our tourism heritage and tradition.
During the event, an audiovisual message of the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili was screened. Pololikashvili, among others, underlined the global importance of sustainable tourism and its role in addressing the rapidly changing environmental challenges.
In the framework of the event, the new certification label of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism "Historic Hotels of Cyprus" was also presented.
The event culminated with an awards ceremony, during which distinguished personalities of the hotel sector were honoured for their contribution to the development and evolution of the sector. As part of the ceremony, honorary awards were presented to displaced hoteliers who were affected by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and re-activated, recognising their contribution and tireless struggle for the foundation of the hospitality sector in Cyprus.
At the same time, "Honour Eneken" awards were presented to personalities, whose actions and work have contributed significantly to the promotion of tourism in Cyprus.
In the framework of the event, the Mayor of Lefkara, Mr. Sofoklis Sofokleous, was also awarded the "UNWTO - Best Tourism Villages 2021" award, following the decision of the World Tourism Organization to award the town.
The great success of the event lies in the fact that the Deputy Ministry of Tourism succeeded in bringing together the entire spectrum of the tourism industry of Cyprus in one place.
The event celebrating World Tourism Day 2023 in Lefkara sent out a strong message highlighting the importance and the urgent need to cultivate a sustainable culture of responsible tourism and green investments that will preserve the natural beauty and cultural diversity of the planet.
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