The opening of new markets and the upgrading of the quality of the Cyprus tourist product that could boost tourist arrivals up to 5 million by 2030

There are the main targets of Cyprus national strategic plan on tourism for 2020-2030, drafted by the Deputy Ministry for Tourism and presented to parliament.

Deputy Minister for Tourism, Savvas Perdios, said will be completed by the end of the year following the environmental impact assessment and a carrying capacity study.

Perdios said the basic target for 2020 is to develop new markets, to enhance Cyprus’ presence abroad and to improve and upgrade Cyprus tourist product.

He said the target for tourist arrivals based on a 2015 study, which has been taken into account in drafting the Strategy, was set at 5 million.

In 2018 tourist arrivals reached a new all-time record amounting to 3.94 million on the back of the previous record of 3.65 million of 2017. Arrivals for January – August 2019 amounted to 2.73 million marking an increase of 0.6% year on year.

“I don’t believe this number is unreasonable but what we as a Deputy Ministry are interested in is that a tourist increase in Cyprus should take place in a way that would benefit mountainous, rural and remote areas.”

Perdios said the impact on Cyprus tourism by the collapse of tour giant Thomas Cook seems to be mitigated as some of the 178-year old group’s subsidiaries are trying to stay afloat in Scandinavia and Germany.

“That means that around 50% of the approximately 250,000 tourists carried by Thomas Cook to Cyprus will be able to visit the island.”

Asked about the debt Thomas Cook owes to Cypriot hotels, estimated at €50 million, he explained if the subsidiaries are saved then the loss will be reduced to 50%.

According to the Deputy Ministry, a total of 15,000 tourists have been stranded in Cyprus due to the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook.

Source: Financial Mirror