The extension of the tourist season is the bet placed by the newly established Ministry of Tourism and the Deputy Minister Savvas Perdios. The key to the "opening" of the season are the special forms of tourism. It is something that is said and written a lot, however it is a complex task for a country that has been identified with the sun and the sea.
Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism emphasizes the special forms of tourism, while October is the month of Mr. Perdios' contacts with foreign tour operators to promote sports tourism. October is considered the right time for such promotions, because our climate is warm, but without the heat waves that last until September.
In particular, it seeks to promote activities to Swedes and Russians (among others) related to the sea, such as swimming and diving, mountain activities such as cycling and more generally team sports such as football.
At the same time, Mr. Perdios seeks to attract major sporting events on our island as there are many people who travel for a major sporting event (whether participating or not). It is known that tourist sports include people who travel and participate in some sporting activity, but usually sport acts as a motivation to travel and thus combines holidays in the country that they will visit due to an event.
The Undersecretary, having all the data in mind, turned to the neighboring countries. It is worth mentioning that bilateral agreements were signed with neighboring countries and issues were proposed for the creation of joint tourist packages, some of which include cycling routes in Cyprus as well as diving tourism. In the framework of the tripartite cooperation Greece-Cyprus-Lebanon, an agreement was signed for the establishment of the International Sports and Tourism Organization for Peace and Prosperity.
In the context of the promotion of sports tourism, the Undersecretary starts a series of contacts for the promotion of cycling tourism from the London Office with 15 specialized travel organizers. In fact, a familiarization trip from Sweden with travel organizers and football teams for coaching tourism is planned for the end of October. Also, during the same period, an acquaintance trip from Russia is planned for journalists and decision makers in diving tourism next October. At the same time, the Department of Tourism along with the private sector will participate in the Birmingham Dive Show for targeted promotion of diving tourism. It is also reported that the ship Elpida is expected to be launched in October in the Larnaca area, a fact that will substantially enrich the diving experience.
In addition, the Ministry of Tourism together with the private sector will participate in the Ergo Marathon Expo within the Athens Marathon and the Oslo Marathon Expo to promote road events and sports tourism in Cyprus in general.
Source: Philenews / Dimitra Landou