Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis reiterated his optimism that despite the geopolitical challenges in the region, the performance of tourist arrivals this year will rise to the same levels as last year, underlining that for the first time since the pandemic of COVID-19, the exogenous factors do not work beneficially for Cypriot tourism.
"The results of the first quarter so far demonstrate that this specific goal is achievable since there is a 5,4% increase in arrivals compared to the previous year, as long as there are of course no additional tensions in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region", stressed the Mr. Koumis from the stage of the Cyprus Travel Expo 2024 exhibition.
According to Mr. Koumis, this year is characterized by three negative facts, the crisis in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, the negative economic environment in several European countries, as well as the challenges related to the aviation sector.
This year, he said, "is perhaps the first time in years, with the exception of the pandemic period, that external factors do not work beneficially for the country's tourism, they work rather inhibitingly, but personally I am optimistic that we will be able to achieve our goal , which is a performance on par with last year's performance, a year that will go down in history for record revenue."
Mr. Koumis also said that the returns of our country's tourism to the high flights of the past was our first priority during the last year and the achievement of this specific goal is particularly satisfying for us, a success that belongs to the entire tourism ecosystem of our country .
However, Mr. Koumis said that travelers' preferences seem to have changed in recent years, with the emphasis being placed on destinations that demonstrate an appeal towards the green transition and demonstrate practical respect for the environment. "It is for this very reason that as the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and as a Government we are working methodically to address these challenges by connecting almost every policy of our Deputy Ministry with the path towards the green transition," he concluded.
In his own greeting, the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus, Ioannis Papameletiou, said that Greece has always been at the top of Cypriots' preferences, with the two countries having "strong relations" in the field of tourism.
As he said, based on data from the Bank of Greece, almost 2023 Cypriot arrivals in Greece were recorded in 600.000, while correspondingly based on the Statistical Service of Cyprus, Greeks who visited Cyprus in 2023 amounted to 188.000.
"Greece receives approximately 40% of outbound tourism in Cyprus," he said.
According to Mr. Papameletiou, the increase in air seats and the air connectivity of the two countries, as well as the realization of direct flights to Greek islands in the summer season, played a catalytic role in the positive results of 2023.
As he mentioned, at least six airlines are successfully operating between Greece and Cyprus, he added, noting that this year for the first time a direct air connection between Larnaca and Alexandroupolis on a weekly basis for the months of July and August begins.
"Greece will continue to warmly welcome its Cypriot visitors and host them not as foreigners but as members of its own close family with which it is linked by indestructible national institutions," he stressed.
He also estimated that the strengthening of tourist flows between the two countries is expected to continue here this year given that in the high tourist season of July-August Greece and Cyprus will be connected by approximately 155 flights per week, while the resumption of the maritime connection between Cyprus and Greece in 2022 after 21 years.
In conclusion, Mr. Papameletiou said that Greece's current strategy for the Cypriot market aims, among other things, to promote and strengthen religious and pilgrimage tourism, winter tourism and to highlight the country's less prominent destinations.
For his part, the Vice-President of the Association of Travel Agents, Christos Aspros, conveyed the greeting of the President of ACTA, saying that after the crises of the pandemic and the invasion of Russia in Ukraine, the Association is quite optimistic about this year's travels .
"This year we see our sector recover significantly and this can already be seen from the travel traffic of the first months of 2024, but also from the great interest shown since this summer."
He referred to data from Hermers Airport, according to which at both of the country's airports passenger traffic in the first three months of 2024 exceeded 1,5 million passengers, a record number for corresponding periods of previous years, showing an increase of 20% compared to 2019. It also projected a 5,4% year-on-year rise in first-quarter tourist arrivals.
He also stated that there is an increase in outbound tourism, confirming the public's great interest in traveling abroad.
"ACTA will continue to work closely with the government, airlines, hotel and tourism businesses in order to strengthen the tourism of our country", he concluded.
Source: KYPE