Journalists from European news agencies visited Agia Triada beach in the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia on Saturday, May 29, 2025, as part of the “Keep Our Sand and Sea Plastic Free” project, which aims to reduce plastic pollution in coastal areas.
During their visit, the journalists had the opportunity to visit the first Plastic-Free Beach, that of Agia Triada, which is within the Municipal Limits of the Municipality of Paralimni-Dheryneia. At Agia Triada beach, the established services that provide beach users with the resources to avoid the unnecessary use of plastic were presented.
The journalists were impressed by the active participation of all tourism stakeholders in the Famagusta district as well as by the innovative practices implemented to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Through this journalistic mission, Cyprus is being promoted as an example of sustainable tourism and responsible environmental management at a European level.
The Mayor of Paralimni-Dheryneia, Mr. George Nikolettos, stated: “We are proud that Agia Triada Beach has become the first Plastic Free Beach in Cyprus, proving that environmental protection can coexist with tourism. Public-private partnership can bring real change, and our Municipality is committed to expanding this initiative for a more sustainable future.” At the same time, the Mayor congratulated the contributors of the “Keep Our Sand and Sea Plastic Free” Project, CSTI and TUI Care Foundation, for their excellent initiatives.
“We are honored to re-inaugurate Agia Triada Beach as the first Plastic-Free Beach in Cyprus, a major milestone for the “Keep Our Sand and Sea Plastic Free” Project. Through collaboration with the TUI Care Foundation and our local partners, we are proving that innovation, sustainability and tourism can go hand in hand. The success of the Project inspires us to continue our fight for a plastic-free future in Cyprus and beyond,” said the President of the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Association (CSTI), Philippos Drousiotis.
The President of PASYXE Famagusta, Panagiotis Konstantinou, stressed that tourism is the heart of our region, and our collaboration with the TUI Care Foundation and CSTI strengthens our commitment to sustainable development and responsible travel. Together, we are shaping a tourism model that respects the environment, supports the local community and ensures a sustainable future for all.”
This was followed by a visit to “The Loop”, a local business that participates in the Project’s initiative, “Bring Your Cup”. The aim of “Bring Your Cup” is to raise awareness and encourage consumers to carry their reusable cup with them and thus contribute to reducing the use of plastic and paper cups.
The visit to the Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia concluded with a visit to the municipal district of Frenaros, where journalists were given a tour of the Hadjigiorkis Mills, a model business in reducing the use of single-use plastics. At the Mills, the Deputy Mayor of Frenaros, Mr. Costas Michael, stated that “investing in tomorrow’s generation is crucial to addressing the burning issue of plastic pollution. Together with the Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free Project, we will transform the local school into a plastic-free school with the aim of making the students active citizens in addressing the issue.”
The “Keep Our Sand and Sea Plastic Free” Project is implemented by the TUI Care Foundation in collaboration with the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Association (CSTI), while local authorities, businesses and the local community actively participate, contributing to the protection of our coasts and seas.
