Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis has held a series of important contacts in Paris, in the framework of Cyprus' participation in the international tourism exhibition IFTM 2026. The Deputy Minister, who was heading a Cypriot delegation, welcomed the improvement in air connectivity between the two countries and said that more visitors from France are expected next year.
According to an official press release, Koumis held a series of important meetings with senior executives of tourism organisations with whom he discussed the French market in Cyprus in recent years, with special reference to 2026, a year in which this market recorded a decrease as a result of geopolitical tension in the Middle East. The focus of the meetings was on 2027, where a significant increase is expected, as the number of airline seats offered has increased.
They also discussed efforts made by the tourism industry of Cyprus as a whole to upgrade and adapt the tourism product of Cyprus to the needs of French visitors, as well as promotional activities.
Koumis attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition at the invitation of his French counterpart Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus pavilion.
"The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country's tourism. It is a market that essentially reappeared in our country only a few years ago, and which I believe can grow further over the years," Koumis said, according to the press release.
Stressing that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, he said it is a key prerequisite for the further growth of the market.
He welcomed the improvement in air connectivity, noting that "we now expect more visitors from France next year. Our responsibility is to provide excellent hospitality."
The Deputy Minister also had a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Sherif Fathy, during which the excellent relations between the two countries in the field of tourism were confirmed and they discussed the possibility of developing a closer cooperation.
During his stay in Paris, Koumis gave interviews to French media outlets, referring to the comparative advantages of Cyprus, the efforts of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism to further highlight the special forms of tourism, the high level of tourism infrastructure and services of Cyprus, but also the recent tourism crisis that Cypriot tourism faced.
It is noted that the IFTM Top Resa exhibition is one of the largest and most historic tourism exhibitions and is organized every year in Paris, bringing together many thousands of professionals in the sector.
(Source: CNA)
