By Stavros Charalambous:There is no longer any doubt that after the haircuts in the two big banks of the place and the dissolution of one of them at the request of the troika to lend us the 10 billion to consolidate our financial deficits, our financial has almost destroyed us at its root. system, one of the biggest pillars of the Cypriot economy.
And there is no longer any doubt that the only major pillar left for the Cypriot economy to breathe is the tourism industry. "We only have the beaches left," the Swedish finance minister said sarcastically.
I point out the above to emphasize the need to establish a proper and rational tourism policy by all, Governments, Municipalities, social partners and other stakeholders.
Because, as we arrived here, they are not open to mistakes, omissions, or counter-attacks, here and there. What the tourism industry needs right now is calm, away from challenges and competition to freshen up our product.
So the main axes for achieving our goals as a state should be the following:
1) HOSPITALITY: The tourist who will visit our island should step on his foot in our place to face the traditional Cypriot hospitality of well-trained employees who with a smile and friendliness will meet the requirements, needs and facilities of our tourists.
2) CLEANLINESS: The tourist who will visit our island should immediately be impressed with the cleanliness wherever he moves, in the hotel, on the beaches, in the shops, restaurants, on the streets, in the public common buildings etc.
3) PRICES: The tourist must necessarily acquire, or if you want we must make him gain our trust in his transactions with us, either in the restaurant or the bar, whether he will sit down to eat or drink, or in the taxi bus will enter, either in supermarkets or in all other tourist products he wants to take advantage of by staying on our island.
4) SECURITY: The tourist during his stay on our island should feel the feeling of security. To know that our beaches and swimming pools are staffed with experienced lifeguards, our hospitals are ready at any time and whatever happens to the tourist to offer their services immediately, the food or drink they will sit down to eat or drink , they will never be poisoned or unsuitable, the police and the fire brigade will be ready to help him in case of conflict or accident, etc.
5) CRACKISM-SOUND POLLUTION: The tourist in the few days of his leave preferred our island to calm down to calm down and spend his holidays beautifully. He does not want us to pull him from here and there, nor does he want to wake up or not sleep from the high decibels.
6) WORK PEACE: The stay of our tourist, especially during this tourist season should not be accompanied in any case either by strikes or counter-strikes or counterclaims between the social partners. Challenges should be avoided and with a sense of responsibility the differences should be resolved without unnecessary words for mutual benefit.
Stavros Charalambous