The Deputy Minister of Tourism is ready for the opening of Cyprus, as a tourist destination, from June 15, while the protocols for tourism are ready, Andreas Kyprianou, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism, told KYPE after discussion, through a teleconference, that the members of the Committee had today with the Deputy Minister of Tourism Savva Perdio.
At the same time, Mr. Kyprianou said that the goal of the Undersecretary is to recover 30% of the arrivals and revenues that Cyprus had in 2019, while announcing that the Trade Committee will send a letter to the Union of Municipalities and Communities and to the Minister of Interior. to enable the expansion of outdoor dining with the use of public spaces, where possible. He added that 57% of the National Tourism Strategy has already been completed by the Ministry of Tourism.
In addition, Mr. Kyprianou said that it was decided that the members of the Commission will hold a new meeting next Tuesday at the Conference Center, this time in person and not by teleconference, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Tourism and all tourism agencies against which will be a two-hour thorough discussion which will concern both the restart of Cyprus as a tourist destination and the analysis and where we are in relation to the National Strategy for Tourism.
"The Undersecretariat of Tourism is ready, has the letters sent to travel agents, travel organizers, Cypriot ambassadors and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of EU Member States and not only, regarding the opening of Cyprus as a tourist destination. from June 15 ", said Mr. Kyprianou, after the meeting of the Committee, lasting 90 minutes, during which the developments in relation to the resumption of the tourism industry were discussed and then Mr. Perdios analyzed the n National Strategy for tourism and how it is adjusted to the period of coronavirus
"On June 15, Cyprus, as a tourist destination, will be ready to open, but that will depend on the decisions of the Council of Ministers, the suggestions of epidemiologists, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport," he added.
He also said that "Cyprus will be ready to open in relation to tourism protocols" for catering, transport to and from airports, hotels, taxis, beaches and swimming pools.
"The protocols concerning the Deputy Minister of Tourism are ready and Cyprus will be ready to open for tourism on June 15," he added.
He also said that the Ministry of State is continuing its efforts to promote Cyprus as a safe destination for tourists, adding that "Cyprus is the safest country in the Mediterranean and the fifth safest country in the world."
The Chairman of the Commerce Committee said that with a specific advertising campaign the Undersecretary is promoting Cyprus as a security destination in the middle of a corona and there seems to be significant interest, as he said, “for utilizing the period of August, September, October and November to get a piece of tourist current that we had in previous years and which is expected to be around 30% in arrivals and 30% in revenues from what we had in 2019 ”.
This 30%, according to Mr. Kyprianou, "translates to around 800 million euros in revenue and about one million tourists," he said, adding that "it is very important to be able to recover even 30% of the previous tourist flow." year ”.
Regarding the markets that will focus on the effort of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kyprianou told KYPE that it will be the countries that are epidemiologically at the same level as us, such as Greece, Israel, some Arab and Scandinavian countries and Germany, perhaps , hoping, as he said, that we will be able in the second stage to have our traditional markets, which are England and Russia.
Letter to the Union of Municipalities and Communities
In addition, Mr. Kyprianou said that they agreed with the Deputy Minister of Tourism as the Commission sends a letter to the Union of Municipalities and Communities and to the Minister of Interior for the possibility of expanding outdoor dining using public spaces, where possible.
He explained that where a restaurant is bordered by a sidewalk or a square or a parking lot, he can take out tables or if it is a beach restaurant, as he said, “he can use part of the beach front so that on the one hand he can keep himself. number of tables to survive and on the other hand its customers to be safer ”.
"We believe that this move by municipalities and communities will enable the survival of restaurants and better social distancing between customers," he added.
Mr. Kyprianou also said that it is right to open the right to use the beach for bathers, adding that this cannot be done for restaurants as restaurant customers will be allowed to comply with others and “not to be allowed to spread the towel. on the beach, always taking the measures of social distancing, to sunbathe ”.
"With the lifting of the measures on May 21, the right to use the beach should be given, always taking into account the social distance," he said, adding that "we consider that there is no risk of someone using the beach if and when he keeps his distance."
National Tourism Strategy
Mr. Kyprianou said that "despite the difficult situation, 57% of the action plan of the Strategy has been completed, which includes, among other things," a new logo for tourism, completion of the environmental study on the bearing capacity for tourism, sustainable development Chrysochous City apartment together with a sponsorship of 200.000 euros for an advertising campaign, completion of which communities are now considered listed communities as a whole and not the individual residences, so that they can apply for restorations TOTAL "
He also said that the strategy includes subsidies for restaurant renovations in the area of equipment, the definition of outdoor crafts that tourists can visit, farms and more, adding that "much remains to be done" such as bills. for audio broadcasts and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places.
The Chairman of the Commerce Committee said that "all these laws that have to do with other Ministries and are part of the Strategy for Tourism are expected to come to Parliament at the end of the year to be voted on."
Source: KYPE