The proposal was presented during a meeting that took place in Cairo, Egypt, in the presence of Cyprus’ Ambassador in Cairo, Harris Moritsis, Christos Moustra on behalf of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and around thirty tourist travel agents from Egypt and Cyprus.

The aim is regional cooperation that will promote cruise tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean and address existing challenges.

“What we are proposing during the past years, approaching all stakeholders in Cyprus and at regional level, is the establishment of a regional transnational core, called ‘Cruise East Med Forum’, that will be based in Cyprus and will have as members all interested parties, including port authorities, tourist councils, municipalities, maritime chambers etc”, Shiokouros told delegates to the meeting.

This institution, he explained, will undertake the promotion of Eastern Mediterranean among cruise operators and potential passengers.

Accordingto Shiokouros, cruise tourism in Eastern Mediterranean has suffered a significant decline in recent years, attracting less than 15% of cruises and cruise passengers of the Mediterranean.

Among the main points of the proposal is a meeting of all the regional actors in Cyprus this year and the amendment of the Suez Canal tolls by the Egyptian government as an incentive to attract cruise operators and facilitate cruises from Cyprus to the Red Sea.

Source: InCyprus