Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis said that the situation regarding tourism "is not easy" and that dedication is required, along with a weekly analysis and specific actions from the entire tourism sector.
"If these are implemented, we can be cautiously optimistic," he said, speaking to journalists in London after his meetings with Cyprus’ strategic partners.
As he noted in his 8 April comments, these meetings are part of a series of contacts he has been carrying out recently in key markets, aimed at assessing the course of this year’s season and activating actions that will contribute to the development of Cypriot tourism.
Koumis acknowledged that the crisis in the Middle East has affected both Cyprus and other tourist destinations in the region. However, he stressed that current indications, especially from the British market, suggest that losses for Cyprus will be smaller than initially forecast.
He made particular reference to the month of May, noting that despite negative reports in recent weeks, it has not been “lost” in tourism terms. Clarifying that last year’s exceptional results, which, as he said, constitute a historic record, are not expected, he nevertheless emphasized that all signs indicate Cyprus will maintain its strong presence in the international tourism market.
Regarding the summer season, the Deputy Minister said that estimates remain difficult, as they largely depend on the evolution and duration of geopolitical tensions. However, he underlined that major tour operators are largely maintaining their programs for Cyprus, something he described as particularly significant.
At the same time, he described April as a “critical month” for shaping demand, as it will largely determine the course of this year’s tourism season. Koumis also stressed the need for continuous monitoring of data and the implementation of coordinated actions across the entire tourism sector.
As for immediate support measures to be taken by his Ministry to limit tourism losses, he said that relevant decisions have already been made concerning the promotion of Cyprus as a tourist destination. At the same time, journalists and influencers from various countries have been invited to see firsthand the real picture of Cyprus and the advantages it offers as a tourist destination. He noted that these actions will continue in the coming months. Concluding, he emphasized that managing this year requires “dedication and systematic analysis of data, even on a daily basis,” as the tourism environment remains complex and volatile.
(Source: CNA)
