"The indications we have are that unless something dramatic happens, something that will greatly affect the indications and data we have so far, we should expect an increase for 2016 compared to 2015 to about 5% of all the markets ", he added.
Mr. Ioannidis, answering questions from KYPE for tourism, said that in 2016 an increase is expected from the United Kingdom, Israel, Poland, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and other markets.
We believe, he continued, that there will be an increase from Russia in 2016.
Mr. Ioannidis said that 2015 was already an excellent year for tourism and added that in 2015 there were in some months and some periods very high performance, higher than any other year.
"Therefore, an increase over a long year already shows that we are on the right track, that we are doing well and that we can expect the local economy to strengthen even more this year," he added.
Answering a question, Mr. Ioannidis said that in 2015 there was a decrease in tourism from Russia due to the many and various and serious that had occurred, sanctions, ruble exchange rate, etc., adding that "in 2015 we did quite well based on "What was happening in this market and its outbound tourism, because we saw a small decrease compared to the decrease in other markets from Russia."
"We did well with what happened, but this year we expect things to be much better. We expect an increase from Russia. These are our indications. This can be seen from our contacts and therefore, it returns to the positive sign in 2016 ", he noted.
Sports Tourism
Regarding sports tourism, Mr. Ioannidis said that it is a very important market segment for the CTO and added that it is a segment in which they give high priority, they are particularly interested.
It is a segment, he continued, which contributes to both the significant increase in revenue and the improvement of seasonality, because it is a segment of the market that comes in non-peak months, non-summer months.
"The estimate that exists is that sports tourism brings to the economy about 26 million euros a year. Sports tourism tourists, at least 40% travel in February, March, April. The clientele of sports tourism is, of course, the football teams that come to Cyprus to prepare, as well as swimming teams, cycling teams and others. "They leave us very good income in difficult times and many of these groups benefit from the CTO incentive plans, they use them and they are the basis to attract a significant number of sports tourism", he added.
Answering another question, Mr. Ioannidis said that the total number of arrivals from sports tourism amounts to around 17.000 each year.
Mountaineering tourism
Regarding mountaineering tourism, the CTO Press and Public Relations Officer said that it is a growing market segment and added that at the moment, the numbers are small, but the CTO is working very closely with the Federation to support the efforts. for the organization of events, publication of a form, etc.
"We are by their side, aiming to achieve the best possible results," he concluded.
Source: KYPE