Space sector an emerging priority for Cyprus, says President

The space sector is an emerging priority for Cyprus in the fields of research and technology, President Nikos Christodoulides has said, inaugurating the Troodos Observatory in Agridia village.

Speaking on 19 May, he also noted that the project had received €1.7 million in funding and should be fully utilised by all Cypriots.

Noting the very important work that has taken place to develop the mountainous region, Christodoulides said such projects are of high significance.

President Christodoulides said that the Observatory should be used "not only for tourism purposes, but also for our schools and for all the Cypriot people." Already, he added, the government will provide technical support for the commissioning of the full operation of the Observatory. 

He expressed the conviction that the Observatory will have significant added value to the tourist product offered in the Troodos region and will attract new visitors to the wider region, both locals and foreigners who wish to explore the captivating field of astronomy and space.

At the same time, being a point of reference for astronomers, observers, scholars, researchers and astronomy lovers in general, the field of astrotourism is significantly enhanced, a new field for our country, whose followers are known to be of a high level of education, cultivation and awareness towards the environment.

Astrotourism, as a special form of tourism, he said, has been attracting great interest internationally in recent years, as destinations associated with stargazing attract more and more visitors.

In this context, the President added, "I am particularly optimistic about the positive impact that the Observatory will have on the development of the entire region and its ability to complement a series of government interventions aimed at formulating an updated tourism policy for the Troodos mountain product, within the framework of both the National Strategy for the Development of Troodos Mountain Communities and the National Tourism Strategy."

He also said that the creation of the Troodos Observatory is fully in line with the objectives of both the National Space Strategy 2022-2027 and the Research and Innovation Strategy approved by the Council of Ministers in December 2023.

(Source: CNA)