A meeting was held on Monday, January 05, 2026 at the Giorgos Seferis Cultural Center between the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Costas Koumis, with the Mayors of Ayia Napa and Paralimni Deryneia, Mr. Christos Zannetou and Giorgos Nikolettos, the Deputy Mayors of the two Municipalities, representatives of PASYXE and tourism organizations in the area.
The subject of the meeting was the current state of tourism in the Free Province of Famagusta as well as the challenges facing the region in view of the 2026 tourist season. At the same time, the planning of the two Municipalities was discussed and all available data regarding the tourism development of the Famagusta province was presented. An extensive discussion and exchange of views between all those involved followed.
During the meeting, the results of the Famagusta district's Online Promotion Campaign, which has been implemented for the last two years through a joint effort of PASYXE Famagusta, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism of the Municipalities of Ayia Napa and Paralimni Deryneia, as well as ETAP Famagusta, were also presented.
In his statements, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Costas Koumis, stated that the meeting is part of the Government's flagship actions aimed at upgrading the country's tourist destinations. He emphasized that the opportunity was given, in the presence of the Mayors and representatives of the tourism organizations, to examine all the elements that characterize two destinations that have been leading the tourism events of Cyprus for years.
Mr. Koumis noted that during the meeting, both the strengths and weaknesses of the destinations were analyzed, as well as the individual threats that have emerged in recent months, such as climate change. He also emphasized that the Deputy Ministry received detailed information both verbally and in writing from the local authorities.
He also mentioned that the responsibility of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism is even better coordination with local authorities and the industry in general in order to upgrade the local tourism product, adding that during the meeting, more than thirty issues concerning the tourism development of the region were discussed.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism also stated that the bar for 2026 remains high and that the first messages from reservations are encouraging, emphasizing that the big bet is for visitors who choose Cyprus to leave satisfied with their experience.
At the same time, he pointed out that both local authorities have implemented important projects in recent years, such as tree planting, investments in projects of local importance and the placement of sculptures, expressing the desire for these efforts to continue.
Referring to the Online Promotion Campaign of the Famagusta district, Mr. Koumis emphasized that this is a very good example of cooperation between the public and private sectors with the aim of promoting the region abroad, noting that today's meeting aimed to evaluate the results of 2025 and exchange views on the planning for 2026.
The Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, stated that during the meeting, the results of the campaign were updated and analyzed, and problems facing the region were discussed with the aim of providing more upgraded services to visitors. At the same time, reference was made to the expectations and prospects for 2026, emphasizing that tourism is a key pillar of Cyprus' prosperity and requires protection and continuous upgrading.
For his part, the Mayor of Paralimni Deryneia, Mr. George Nikolettos, stated that the Municipality and the Famagusta district as a whole recorded the best tourist season, noting that time and resources were invested in alternative forms of tourism. He also stressed that a discussion is underway on the extension of the tourist season and that all issues are being put on the table with the aim of the sustainable development of the region.
The President of PASYXE Famagusta, Mr. Panagiotis Konstantinou, stated that the presentation of the results of the Online Promotion Campaign confirms the positive course of the effort for the second consecutive year. He emphasized that this is a collective initiative that proves that cooperation is the most correct way to achieve better results. He also stated that the campaign targets the eight most important markets for the Famagusta district and that the support of the Municipalities and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism is crucial for its continuation and further strengthening.
Particular reference was also made to the goal of extending the tourist season in the months of November and March through targeted online promotion using videos and digital advertising media towards selected audiences interested in traveling to destinations such as the Famagusta district.
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