Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has sent the message that the tourist sector will continue to be one of the government`s top priorities, expressing hope for a closer, more creative and productive cooperation with the Cyprus Hotels` Association (PASYXE) and other competent authorites.
Addressing on Tuesday PASYXE`s annual General Assembly, Anastasiades said that he considers the hoteliers as stratergic partners in the government`s effort to create a modern and creative country, not only for its citizens but also for every foreigner who visits Cyprus.
Anastasiades said that during the last yeras the tourist industry has achieved a lot, adding that last year was the best one for the tourist sector since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus
Furthermore, he noted that there was also a significant income from tourists, while the tourist period has been extended. Anastasiades said that the indications are that figures will be high this year as well, even though the situation in the region is fluid.
The President said that the government aims at highligting the advantages of each particular region on the island, noting that “marinas, the cazino and golf courses are some of the insfrastsructure projects under way, which will upgrade our product,” referring particularly to the Casino-resort that will open in Limassol.
He said that this will be a milestone for the country`s economy, adding that it is estimated to attract 300,000 new visitors per year. Furthermore he said that the government has drafted a National Strategy for Tourism in cooperation with prominent foreign epxerts, aiming at making the country a high standard tourist destination.
He expresed the belief that prospects for tourism in Cyprus are higher than those we see today, referring also to the government`s plans to set up a Deputy Ministry for Tourism, that will operate under the President of the Republic .
PASYXE Chairman Charis Loizides referred to the three main pillars on which the efforts of the state and the tourist industry wil focus in 2018 and 2019.
These are the completion of major infrastructure projects as the casino and the marinas, to continue the effort to extend the tourist period and address the issue of seasonability, and to implement all reforms that will make Cyprus a modern, competitive and effective state.
Chairman of Cyprus Tourism Organisation Angelos Loizou said that despite challenges, Cyprus tourism has made major steps since 2014, noting that in 2017 tourist arrivals were 3.65 million compared to 2.44 million in 2014.
He also noted that there has been an increase during the first months of 2018 and arrivals from January to May 2018 reached 1.135.000 compared to 990.000 during the same period last year.
