Decline in tourism in 2013

2013 will be a difficult tourist year for Cyprus in relation to the arrival of tourists from Britain, as a result of the ongoing economic crisis, but also the revisions in the programs of Travel Organizers due to the prevailing uncertainty.

This was stated during the contacts held by a delegation from Cyprus, under the Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism Neokli Silikiotis and the President of CTO Aleko Orountiotis in London, on the occasion of the annual tourism exhibition "World Travel Market", one of its largest exhibitions its kind in the world.

Specifically, according to a statement from the CTO, the delegation held meetings with the main Travel Organizers of Britain, as well as airlines, and reviewed both the current year and the upcoming summer season.

For the current year, according to the CTO, it was found that the tourist traffic fluctuated at satisfactory levels given the great difficulties that existed. It became clear that the global financial crisis, but also other events such as the organization in 2012 in Britain of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth acted as a deterrent to the descent of British travelers.

Regarding 2013, after it was found that it will be another difficult year, ways to deal with the situation in the medium and long term were discussed. The goal set by the CTO and the other partners in tourism is to keep the tourist traffic from Britain at the same levels as in 2012.

With the completion of the contacts in London, it is added to the announcement, part of the delegation, headed by Mr. Orundiotis, went to Amsterdam where he had pre-arranged meetings with Chinese Travel Organizers and other Chinese agents.

The aim of these meetings was to better prepare important contacts that will take place in late November in Beijing and Hong Kong, between CTOs and Chinese tourism agents, looking forward to the inclusion of Cyprus in the tourist programs of Chinese Tour Agents to European and Middle Eastern destinations.