At their peak are sales of travel packages and hotel bookings, with demand from both traditional markets such as the UK and new ones hitting red, a month before the start of this year's tourist season.
At this time the coastal cities and especially the province of Famagusta look like a vast construction site, with hoteliers and workers struggling to complete the renovations and preparations, to be ready to welcome the first large "batch" of arrivals. , expected around the beginning of April.
The works are continuing feverishly and about 3 thousand beds are under construction, as well as 14 new hotel units, while more than 10 thousand beds have already been added to the potential compared to last year. According to CTO data, the number of beds in Cyprus before the renovations amounted to 84 thousand. With the addition of the new beds, the potential of the hotel industry will exceed 100 thousand beds.
First Famagusta and then Paphos
On the occasion of the last preparations for the new summer season, the senior official of the CTO, Marios Tsianakas, spoke to the newspaper "Simerini" and stated that "although we are very close to the start of the new tourist season, the preparations and renovations have not been completed yet. in many units ". Asked about the number of new units and beds for 2018, Mr. Tsianakas stated that today there are about 3000 beds and 14 new units under construction, with most of them located in the province of Famagusta and Paphos following.
"We must emphasize that, in many hotel units, mainly in the province of Famagusta, extensions have been made as around 10.000-12.000 beds have already been added." In addition, the senior CTO official stressed that "with one foot in the new tourist season, we are pleased to say that a large number of new beds have been completed and we will be ready to welcome this year's tourists if all goes well and do not show up. problems and delays ". Finally, Mr. Tsianakas stated that this year is expected to be an important year in terms of tourism, since as everything shows we will have a significant increase in arrivals and all hoteliers must cope.
We expect an increase in tourism this year
In addition, the tourism officer in the marketing and communication department of the CTO, Christos Moustras, spoke to "S", expressing optimism that after 2017, which was a record year in terms of tourism in Cyprus with a 14,6% increase in arrivals compared to 2016, and 2018 will increase. "This year started well as in January we had a 20% increase in tourism compared to 2017." In addition, he said that 2018 is predicted to be an even better year, and if all goes well we expect an increase of 8-10% compared to last year.
"Certainly, the increase in the number of beds and units also plays a role as there are more this year, so we can respond to the increase in tourism and especially when they have finished to welcome the first arrivals in April, when the summer season officially begins" , noted the CTO official.
Important contacts in Germany
At the same time, industry officials in Germany are waging their own "battle" to attract tourism. The leaders of the Cypriot Tourism met this week in Berlin, where the important ITB exhibition is taking place. The Cypriot delegation, headed by the Minister of Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism, George Lakkotrypis, and also consisted of the Chairman of the Board. of the CTO, Mr. Angelos Loizou, the Deputy General Manager of the CTO, Mr. Marino Menelaou and other officials, had important contacts with the main Travel Organizers and air carriers of the very important German market for Cyprus, the largest European market.
According to an announcement, during the contacts, the strong mood prevailing in Cyprus for closer cooperation and for prioritization of the German market was emphasized to everyone, based on the data of this market (quality customers who visit the island mainly in September, October therefore are in line with our strategic aspirations to extend the summer season, are interested in special interests and the range of activities offered by Cyprus for walkers, cyclists, as well as for golf tourism, conference tourism, wedding tourism, etc.).
In the context of the contacts, the medium and long-term plans and the strategy of our country in tourism were developed, which in practice has been reduced to a top priority and a pillar of development strategy. Government incentives, the new National Tourism Strategy, the new casino resort being created are some of the topics that have been thoroughly analyzed and explained.
Increase in tourism from Germany
It is noted that the German market showed significantly improved results in 2017, recording 189.000 arrivals and an increase of 52,2% compared to 2016 and more than doubled compared to 2014. The reservations so far for Cyprus are at levels that allow optimism that the very good performance of the last 3 years can be consolidated and stabilized.
The geographical air accessibility and coverage of Cyprus by regions of the country is very satisfactory, with service from 10 German city airports in 2018. It is also positive that several Travel Organizers have expressed increased interest in club-type investments, seeking suitable accommodation to buy the management. This fact is valued positively as it reflects the confidence of Germany in our tourism industry.
Record revenue
It is recalled that 2017 was the best year for tourism in Cyprus, as many records were set. Revenue rose 11,7%, according to data released this week by the Statistical Service. For the period January - December 2017, revenues from tourism are estimated at € 2.639,1 million compared to € 2.363,4 million in the corresponding period of 2016. The increase is the third largest since 2009. In 2011 it amounted to 12,9 , 2015%. In 4,4, tourism revenues had increased by XNUMX%.
The increase in tourism revenue in 2017 is attributed to the increase in arrivals at record levels as per capita tourist spending is reduced. Tourist arrivals in 2017 amounted to the historical record of 3,7 million, recording an increase of 14,6%. The per capita expenditure of tourists for the period January - December 2017 amounted to € 722,62 compared to € 741,68 in the corresponding period of the previous year, recording a decrease of 2,6%.
Regarding December 2017, revenues from tourism amounted to € 55,8 million compared to € 50,9 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, recording an increase of 9,6%. The per capita expenditure of tourists for December 2017 amounted to € 564,21 compared to € 578,91 in the corresponding month of the previous year, recording a decrease of 2,5%.
Source: TODAY / Chrysanthou Month