The Nordic Leisure Travel Group (NLTG) event, which hosted its key partners in the Cypriot tourism sector, was held with great success on Monday, May 13, in Ayia Napa, specifically at the Ocean Beach Club, with the aim of strengthening cooperation with local tourism bodies, presenting its strategic vision for Cyprus, and ensuring the further development of Nordic tourism on our island.
The event was attended by top executives and owners of the company, such as Mr. Petter Stordalen, founder and owner of the Strawberry Group - the largest hospitality group in Scandinavia, as well as Messrs. Torgir Silseth, Kenneth Andersen and Peter Samlin, members of the Board of Directors of NLTG, the CEO of Nordic Leisure Travel Group, Mr. Magnus Wikner, and a host of partners from the tourism industry of the Famagusta district.
Also present were the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr. Alexis Vafeadis, the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, the Mayor of Paralimni - Deryneia, the Director General of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, representatives of Deloitte, Altor, the Famagusta Hoteliers' Association and a host of hoteliers and tourism professionals.
In his greeting, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Costas Koumis, stated that "for the first time, the tourism sector exceeded 4 million arrivals, while at the same time, the contribution of tourism to the national economy exceeded 3 billion euros. 2024 is undoubtedly a landmark year for Cypriot tourism."
Mr. Koumis emphasized that this success is the result of methodical planning and collective effort by all stakeholders, while referring to a series of actions for the future of tourism. “As a Deputy Ministry,” he continued, “we are committed to promoting emblematic actions and incentive plans, investing in the future of the tourism sector. At the same time, we are progressing in completing a series of audiovisual material, while we are in the final stage of implementing a digital application that will cover the entire island of Cyprus, aiming to improve the competitiveness of tourist destinations throughout the island.”
He also made particular reference to the need for continued support for established destinations such as Ayia Napa and Protaras. “We recognize,” he noted, “that even the most established tourist destinations, such as Ayia Napa and Protaras, need ongoing analysis and support in order to maintain their competitive advantage.”
In closing, he underlined the importance of cooperation and that "collective effort is the only way for the tourism sector to continue its upward trajectory and its significant contribution to the Cypriot economy. Our collaboration with Nordic Leisure Travel Group is an example to be emulated."
In his greeting, the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, initially stated that "the presence of the top executives of Nordic Leisure Travel Group (NLTG) is not only an honor for the Municipality of Ayia Napa, but also a confirmation of the long-standing relationship of trust and cooperation that we have built over the years. Nordic Leisure has contributed significantly to the tourism development of Ayia Napa, bringing thousands of visitors annually to our place."
Referring to his vision for Ayia Napa, he said that it is to develop into one of the most sustainable, smart and quality tourist destinations in Europe, offering experiences based on culture, authenticity, wellness, innovation and respect for the environment.
"We are strategically investing in infrastructure, extending the tourist season and moving forward with projects that highlight our character and identity, such as the upgrade of the Central Square next to the historic Medieval Monastery, a space that combines history, culture and modern design."
The Mayor of Ayia Napa made special mention of the timeless and invaluable contribution of the travel organization Aeolos Travel, which represents the Nordic Leisure Travel Group (NLTG) in Cyprus from 1970 to the present.
The Mayor praised the organization's significant contribution to the tourism development of Ayia Napa, especially in maintaining and strengthening the relationship with the Scandinavian market. He also expressed his warm thanks to Mr. Sotos Stefanou, noting that Aeolos Travel has been the main link between Ayia Napa and the Scandinavian tourist markets for decades.
Finally, Mr. Zannettou stated that the choice of Ayia Napa to hold the event highlights the strategic importance of the region for NLTG and underlines the Group's intention to further strengthen its presence in Cypriot tourism.
For his part, the founder and owner of the Strawberry Group, Mr. Petter Stordalen, expressed his enthusiasm for his presence in Cyprus, stating that he was particularly happy to have had the opportunity to meet the group's associates in the region. He also mentioned that he particularly loves Cyprus and considers it an excellent destination for Scandinavian travelers.
He also added that Cyprus offers a developed and quality tourism product that fully meets the requirements of the group's customers, while the hospitality and professionalism that characterize the people of the island further enhance the positive image of the destination.
Mr. Stordalen expressed his belief that cooperation with Cyprus will be strengthened even further in the future, as – as he emphasized – both he and his group deeply believe in the potential of the country, its people and the dynamics of the Cypriot tourism product.
It is noted that Nordic Leisure Travel Group is one of the most important providers of organized trips in the Scandinavian countries and is active in Cyprus with a strong presence, bringing approximately 140.000 visitors annually through Larnaca Airport, with destinations in Ayia Napa and Protaras. The Group includes the tourist companies Ving, Spies, Tjäreborg and others, owns the airline Sunclass Airlines and manages 25 hotels in Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Thailand.
