Strengthening cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus is very beneficial for Cyprus' tourism, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Costas Koumis, today, during a press conference for the announcement of a Grants Plan for Hotel and Tourist Accommodation Upgrade Projects. Responding to questions from journalists, the Deputy Minister referred to the goal of strengthening the US tourism market and noted that the government's approach is now changing.
In the context of the press conference, Mr. Koumis announced the announcement of the second call for proposals of the Scheme entitled "Grant Scheme for Upgrading Projects of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations in Rural, Mountainous and Remote Areas for the Modernization and Improvement of the Competitiveness of the Tourism Product", totaling 3 million euros.
Regarding the US market, the Deputy Minister stated that over time Cyprus had not invested in it, or had invested in the wrong way. Specifically, he said that with the approach that existed in the past, Cyprus was addressing the entire territory of the US, where it had to compete with much lower-cost destinations. “This tactic is now changing and the Deputy Ministry is investing in the eastern region of the US,” he explained, mentioning that the promotion campaign with targeted actions is currently underway.
"We are interested in the US market, it is our responsibility to increase demand from this particular market," said Mr. Koumis. "If we look at the issue more broadly, the closer cooperation between the US and the Republic of Cyprus, as developed by the government, the President of the Republic and the relevant Minister, is certainly very beneficial for our country's tourism," he added.
Asked whether he would accompany the President of the Republic to the US during his planned visit next April, he replied that this would be decided at the given time.
Applications for a grant scheme for hotel and accommodation upgrade projects are due by April 30th.
Announcing the second call for proposals for the grant scheme for projects to upgrade hotels and tourist accommodation in rural, mountainous and remote areas to modernize and improve the competitiveness of the tourism product, the Deputy Minister stated that applications will be accepted until April 30, 2025 at 12.00:XNUMX p.m. or until the available budget is exhausted.
The total of 3 million euros of the plan, as Mr. Koumis explained, will be distributed with different intensity of support to four categories of areas, depending on their needs and special characteristics.
Specifically, he stated that in Region 1 (mountainous, marginal and remote areas) the aid on eligible expenses will be of the order of 75%. In Region 2 (rural areas) it will be of the order of 65%, in Region 3 (other areas facing tourism disadvantages) of the order of 50% and in Region 4 (special state support area - Pyrgos Tillyria complex), of the order of 85%.
He also noted that the maximum amount of funding per beneficiary based on the De Minimis Regulation amounts to €300.000, while for applications based on the General Block Exemption Regulation "GAEK" it amounts to €500.000.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism stated that eligible expenses may be investments related to the digital upgrade of a business, or to the renovation, upgrade, enrichment, beautification and replacement of equipment, as well as energy upgrades in spaces.
The plan also covers the creation of new, appropriately equipped spaces with the aim of enriching the hotel business's offered products and services, with the ultimate aim of improving the competitiveness of the unit, such as a wellness center, cycling and sports infrastructure, conference tourism halls, sports infrastructure and other infrastructure for people with disabilities.
"As the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, we believe that the implementation of such plans substantially upgrades the areas of implementation, in this case the mountainous areas of our country, the rural areas and the extremely remote areas, increases the competitiveness of these areas, but at the same time increases the overall competitiveness of our country's tourism product," noted Mr. Koumis.
"As a government, we remain faithful to our commitment to utilizing the tools provided by the European Union's recovery and resilience mechanism, and yes, we are investing consciously and with specific targeting, geographical and specific, in improving the tourism services provided and in increasing the competitiveness of our country's tourism product," he concluded.
As announced by the Deputy Ministry, those interested in submitting an application for sponsorship can find the final Guide to the Plan and the Annexes, including the Application form, on the Deputy Ministry of Tourism's website www.gov.cy/tourism in the "Plans and Programs" section.
For more information, interested parties can contact the competent Officer at 22691193 and email rrfhotels@visitcyprus.com.