The position that "Safety is a cornerstone of tourism competitiveness. A safe reputation is a priceless asset – but it is hard-earned and important to protect" was expressed by the British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Michael Tatham.
Speaking at 'Safeguarding Cyprus's Tourism Industry' an event held under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and organised by the British High Commission, Tatham highlighted the close UK-Cyprus relationship in the tourism sector, noting that "The UK is the largest single market for Cyprus tourism. In 2024, UK visitors accounted for 34% of all tourist arrivals."
He said that the cooperation between the two countries' "partnership is not rhetorical. It is operational, practical and results-driven," noting that Cyprus is a crucial partner for the United Kingdom in a region with increased geopolitical and security challenges. He spoke of close cooperation on issues of combating organised crime, illicit financial flows, as well as joint actions in regional crisis management.
The British High Commissioner also announced the launch of “Europe’s first Counter-Terrorism Awareness e-learning platform for the tourist sector.” He noted that the platform aims to enhance preparedness “in hotels, airports, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues” and could be a “game-changer for safety in the tourism and hospitality sectors.”
He stressed that "protective security is all of our business. It cannot be left to law enforcement alone." That is why the training provided by the platform constitutes "life-saving, operational training that ensures front-line staff have the confidence and capability to act decisively in a crisis."
In closing, Tatham underlined that "Cyprus sets a European benchmark for tourism security, empowering stakeholders to play an active role in prudent, protective security," further strengthening its reputation as a safe, reliable and welcoming destination.
The High Commissioner's full address can be read below:
Safeguarding Cyprus’ Tourism Industry
Thank you for inviting me to make opening remarks at this important event on which the UK Government is proud to be partnering with our friends in the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
It is a pleasure to be here. And more than that, it feels particularly appropriate for me, as UK High Commissioner, to be opening this event.
Appropriate for two reasons:
- First, because of the close UK/Cypriot links in the tourism sector. The UK is the largest single market for Cyprus tourism. In 2024, UK visitors accounted for 34% of all tourist arrivals. For some reason that mystifies me, it seems that UK nationals prefer the sunny, blue skies and Mediterranean climate of Cyprus to the weather in the UK. But what this means is that the UK and Cyprus have a strong shared interest in safeguarding the security of Cyprus’ tourism sector.
- Second, because this strand of collaboration fits seamlessly into the context of a deep and strategic bilateral partnership between the UK and Cyprus that is rooted in common values and shared interests, including in the area of security. As today’s conference highlights, this partnership is not rhetorical. It is operational, practical and results-driven.
Tourism is a pillar of Cyprus’ economy, contributing over 3.2 billion Euros annually. It is easy to see what underpins that success – beautiful beaches, lovely mountains, wonderful cuisine, warm hospitality, a fascinating history and culture. And, as I said a moment ago, plenty of sunshine.
But there is another ingredient which it is easy to take for granted. And that is security.
One of the factors that affects tourists’ choice of destinations is perceived safety. Safety is a cornerstone of tourism competitiveness. A safe reputation is a priceless asset – but it is hard-earned and important to protect. As other countries’ experiences have demonstrated, even a single security incident can lead to untold human tragedy and to damaged confidence that affects jobs, investment and long-term reputation.
So, UK and Cypriot interests converge around the security of the tourism sector in Cyprus.
That is one of the reasons we have a growing bilateral partnership on counter-terrorism and law enforcement. This goes much wider than tourism. Cyprus is a critical partner for the UK in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region that faces complex security challenges.
I firmly believe that, together, the UK and Cyprus can form a security bridge between Europe and the Middle East. Indeed, we already see this happening.
We partner in law enforcement and tackling serious organised crime – combatting illicit finance, sanctions evasion and trafficking networks.
We work together on capacity-building initiatives that strengthen investigative and forensic capabilities in law enforcement bodies.
And we have been partners in regional crisis management, coordinating closely during regional emergencies such as the evacuations from Sudan in 2023 and Israel earlier this year under Cyprus’ ESTIA plan. The UK provided early support to the Cypriot initiative to establish a maritime corridor to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
So, it is a natural evolution of this partnership to extend it into the area of tourism security. We are partnering today on a joint training programme for law enforcement and tourism stakeholders, the goal of which is to safeguard Cyprus’ tourism industry.
So, today we are proud to announce the launch of Europe’s first Counter-Terrorism Awareness e-learning platform for the tourist sector. This platform reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding the tourism sector. It is specifically designed for establishments where there is a high concentration of people and tourists – hotels, airports, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. It will enable the tourism sector to become increasingly CT aware; to invest in staff training; and to share and incorporate best practice. I believe it can be a game-changer for safety in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
This initiative highlights an important guiding principle: that protective security is all of our business. It cannot be left to law enforcement alone.
Hotels, restaurants, airports, tourist attractions are all potential front-line defenders. Vigilance and hospitality go hand-in-hand. Because any good host wants to ensure their guests are safe and protected.
And I am grateful to all of you here today for coming to this conference and embracing this responsibility. I am confident this e-learning platform will help equip you for your responsibilities.
This e-learning is not about imparting theoretical knowledge. It is life-saving, operational training that ensures front-line staff have the confidence and capability to act decisively in a crisis. By being an early embracer of this platform, Cyprus sets a European benchmark for tourism security, empowering stakeholders to play an active role in prudent, protective security.
Embedding this culture of vigilance will enhance Cyprus’ reputation as a safe and trusted tourist destination. And it will provide a springboard from which I am confident that the tourism links between the UK and Cyprus will continue going from strength to strength.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
