The groundwork is being laid for a new form of tourism in Cyprus, according to the Nicosia Tourism Development Agency (ETAP), which aims to promote industrial facilities producing food, ice cream, dairy plants, wineries, and quarries in Nicosia as part of industrial tourism. This is not a new concept for those familiar with the tourism sector, as “industrial tourism” has existed for several years in Europe and links industrial heritage—as an essential cultural element—with tourist interest. 

According to information provided to CNA by Sotiris Christoforou, an official with the Nicosia Tourism Development Company, this is a specialized form of tourism, in which active production facilities are highlighted, allowing visitors to learn about the history of a product and, consequently, to get to know a part of the country. “It is very important that we begin to create authentic experiences tied to the country’s history,” he said, noting that this model has also been utilized for educational purposes as a way to support young people’s professional careers.

He explained that in Cyprus, although there is no heavy industry, there are sectors of significant interest, such as the food industry and, in particular, the dairy industry, and recent visits to halloumi production facilities were described as “extremely interesting.”

One aspect of industrial tourism that can be promoted is the ice cream industry and its history, since, as Mr. Christoforou noted, three major ice cream manufacturers—Papafilippou, Heracles, and Regis—have been operating in Cyprus for over half a century, with a history dating back to the 1950s. “We have a lot of know-how in Nicosia when it comes to ice cream,” he noted.

Also of interest are Cyprus’s mines and quarries, as well as the Troodos Geopark, due to its unique geology; in 2015, it was officially admitted to the UNESCO.

Special Routes

It should be noted that in order for such sites to be open to visitors, safety issues must first be addressed, and specialized guides must be certified, equipped with the necessary resources to lead organized groups of visitors.

According to ETAP Nicosia, the challenge is to create itineraries that will allow visitors to explore such sites, in a way that ensures visitors’ health and safety while not disrupting the production process.

In this context, a workshop titled “Industrial Tourism Conference – Enhancing Visitor Experiences and Promoting Local Businesses” was organized in mid-June as part of the European project IndusTour (Interreg Europe), attended by representatives of organizations, researchers, tourism professionals, and stakeholders from Cyprus, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, and Denmark.

As clarified, the initiative is still in the planning stage and is part of a four-year European project, which is currently about one and a half years into its implementation.

Mr. Christoforou noted that at this stage, best practices and policies implemented in other countries are being documented, with the aim of identifying policy tools that could also be utilized in Cyprus, possibly within the framework of the country’s industrial policy. He also pointed out that businesses’ ability to host visitors can serve as a means of promoting openness to the outside world.

It should be noted that there are no comprehensive data available on the number of tourists attracted by industrial tourism, beyond isolated visitor figures for specific sites. However, such visits fall under the broader category of special-interest tourism, which constitutes a significant market for the tourism industry, with recent data indicating a substantial increase.

According to the NCTN in Nicosia, visitors are now seeking experiences with greater meaning and authenticity, making it important for Cyprus to develop experiences linked to the country’s history, production, and identity.

READ ALSO: Panayiotou: €168 million package for water management and €454 million in investments to support rural areas | AlphaNews

Source: CNA