In light of the finding that the modern tourist is more demanding and better informed, focusing on quality, professional service and the price-service ratio, the message that this is the parametre that the state should focus on has been sent by the President of the Association of Cyprus Travel & Tourism Agents (ACTTA), Charis Papacharalambous.
In an interview in the August issue of IN Business magazine, Papacharalambous points out that ACTTA operates on this basis and tries, through various actions, conferences and meetings, to keep its members informed and promote new ideas and initiatives, as well as to guide them on the basis of relevant legislation that directly or indirectly concerns them.
Charis Papacharalambous identifies 'four plus one' key weaknesses in the tourism industry of Cyprus: seasonality, connectivity, the supply of personnel, including trained ones, as well as unfair competition from the pseudo-state, to today also add to these the growth of illegality throughout the sector.
"Repeatedly," he emphasises, "I have set as a basic condition, in order to move forward, the focus on our four - in my humble opinion - main weaknesses, which in many phases are interrelated."
Referring specifically to the industry, the President of the Association of Cyprus Travel & Tourism Agents indicates that although trends and the internet have brought challenges and difficulties to the sector, it has adapted to the new realities and while it may have shrunk in several countries, it remains the main way of purchasing tourist packages in most countries.
The 2025 tourist season is characterised as a dynamic continuation of 2024, which saw record arrivals. How has the year been for tourism and travel agents?
Tour operators and travel agents typically deal with inbound and outbound tourism, respectively. Some colleagues deal with both.
2024 was a record year for inbound tourism, but also for outbound, since the trips of Cypriot residents also exceeded all previous records, reaching 1.75 million.
Therefore, I believe that despite the broader challenges, the year was good for the majority of tourism and travel agents, although the numbers of arrivals or trips abroad alone do not necessarily translate into financial success.
What tourist profile are you trying to attract and from which markets?
We focus primarily on countries that are geographically within reasonable range and have developed outbound tourism. Also, on markets that are looking for vacations similar to those we are able to offer.
There is no point in trying to attract customers who have very different requirements than those you can satisfy. This is why developing infrastructure in tourism sectors such as sports or conference tourism is of utmost importance.
We must, of course, aim very specifically to be successful and realise that without serious investments and a medium-to-long-term plan, we will not achieve much.
What differences do you see compared to previous years in terms of demand and length of stays?
Over the last decade, no noticeable differences have been observed beyond those that emerged during and immediately after the coronavirus era, except that the stay period has been shortened.
We should realise that if we want different results, such as winter tourism, then we will have to do some things differently.
Is it true that the modern tourist has become more demanding?
Tourists are more demanding and informed, focusing on quality, professional service and the price-service ratio. This is where we must focus as a state, but also as an Association.
ACTTA works on this basis and tries, through various actions, conferences and meetings, to keep its members informed and promote new ideas and initiatives, as well as to guide them on the basis of relevant legislation that concerns us directly or indirectly.
The travel agent in the era of online bookings
How has the role of the tour operator changed in the era of online bookings from relevant companies-platforms?
This is a very interesting question. Thirty years ago, when these companies first started to appear, there was a lot of talk about the end of travel agencies, and also tour operators, within a few years.
Although trends and the internet have brought challenges and difficulties to the industry, it has adapted to the new realities and may have shrunk in several countries, but it remains the main way to purchase tourist packages in most countries.
The human factor and expertise will continue to play an important role in travelers' decisions, as will, of course, price, where again in most cases the tour operator or organiser will have an advantage over an online company - platform, which generally has higher prices.
The challenges for the members of the Association
What are the main challenges faced by Cypriot tour operators - members of ACTTA?
The challenges often focus on weak and distorted institutional frameworks, the inability to make the right decisions at the right time and implement them. The lack of flexibility on the part of the state also has a significant impact.
We understand that some provisions arise from the EU, however, many conditions are not consistent with the realities and size of Cyprus and we should have negotiated various exceptions that are, after all, perfectly logical.
Submission of proposals and decisions
How does ACTTA work to support its members during periods of increased or unstable tourist flows?
ACTTA contributes significantly to the submission of proposals and to a certain extent to decision-making locally, but also at the European level, through the ECTAA organisation (The European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Associations.)
Our effort is to help establish a framework of processes and infrastructure that create a brand that is less vulnerable to external factors that we cannot control.
That is, to operate in a more organised mannerand preventively than in a firefighting manner.
How important is collaboration with other tourism stakeholders?
Undoubtedly, cooperation is necessary and I believe that it exists. Our main concern is not, after all, the interests of our members alone, but our tourism industry as a whole. We are undoubtedly a very important wheel on the cart, but in order to move forward, the entire industry must prosper.
No one should view the issue in a fragmented manner or, if you like, in a petty and partisan manner.
Rational development based on a flexible and liberal framework, long-term goals and plans, will strengthen us all. The big picture prevails and that is what we should focus on.
Our main weaknesses
What is your personal vision for ACTTA's role in the tourism upgrade of Cyprus?
I believe that our members, as the link between tour operators and local services, but also because of the relationships they have with the entire industry, have the best and most comprehensive knowledge of the sector and its weaknesses.
I have repeatedly set as a basic condition, in order to move forward, the focus on our four - in my humble opinion - main weaknesses, which in many phases are interrelated.
These have been the seasonality, the connectivity, the supply of personnel, even trained ones, for decades, as well as the unfair competition we experience from the pseudo-state in our occupied territories. Today I would add the growth of illegality in our entire industry.
My vision remains to create conditions that will bring about significant differentiation in the above, and I firmly believe that with proper planning we can create a framework that will work.
However, a lot will have to change, and along the way we will have to break some established norms. Vision, courage and determination are needed.
(Source: IN Business magazine)
