Cyprus’s tourism industry faced one of its toughest challenges in recent decades this year. The Deputy Minister of Tourism told Alpha that this year’s tourism season was the most difficult since 1974.
KOSTAS KOUMIS – Deputy Minister of Tourism: “There is no
doubt that, in terms of tourism, it was and remains a difficult year. A year marked by the events of last March. A year that many in the tourism industry have described as the most difficult since 1974.”
With this year’s tourist season coming to a close, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism issued its own assessment, noting that, compared to last year, there has been a slight decrease in revenue of about 7%.
KOSTAS KOUMIS – Deputy Minister of Tourism: “We took
the necessary steps, and now we’re seeing the results. I think there is no doubt that, given the circumstances, we have achieved our goals, and we are confident that by the end of the year the decline will be even greater.”
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism has been leading the effort since June to plan for the 2027 tourism season, maintaining ongoing contact with Cyprus’s strategic partners.
KOSTAS KOUMIS – Deputy Minister of Tourism “We also participated
in the major trade show in Paris a few days ago. We are currently preparing for the trade show in London. Planning is underway, and we’re on the right track for 2027. What everyone keeps telling us is that effectively managing the crisis was very important.”
Meanwhile
, today, September 27, is World Tourism Day. The Deputy Minister of Tourism emphasized that, for Cyprus, tourism has served as the foundation for restarting the domestic economy during difficult times for the Republic of Cyprus.
KOSTAS KOUMIS – Deputy Minister of Tourism: “As
a government, guided by the National Tourism Strategy 2035 and the European Tourism Agenda, and bearing in mind that the present and future of thousands of people and families depend on the course of tourism, we will always do our best for the tourism sector.”
PASYXE, for its part, emphasizes that this year’s World Tourism Day is accompanied by Artificial Intelligence, which offers significant opportunities to strengthen the resilience of the tourism product.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
YIANNOS PANTZIS – President of PASYXE “We are adapting
, investing, and capitalizing on opportunities. Artificial Intelligence opens a new chapter of possibilities, and Cyprus can and must be part of this development, by providing tourism businesses with the necessary tools to invest, grow, and create a more attractive and modern tourism product.”
For PASYXE, the digital transition and the use of artificial intelligence must be an integral part of the national tourism strategy.
See Eleni Michael’s report:
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