Hermes Airports: Repositioning Cyprus on the tourism map as a year-round destination

Hermes Airports organised the conference "Beyond Sea & Sun", under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, focusing on transforming Cyprus into a year-round tourist destination.

The aim was to kickstart a productive dialogue on the future of sustainable tourism, shaping a roadmap where the promotion of our country's culture and experiences, environmental protection, infrastructure development, and sustainable tourism activities coexist in harmony. The conference brought together leading figures from the government and business, as well as stakeholders from the tourism industry and more. Discussions and presentations addressed the future of Cyprus tourism in the context of society, the economy, entrepreneurship, and the environment in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Additionally, the conference aimed featured proposals for managing challenges, alternative tourism models, and new researches outlining global trends and perspectives on Cyprus tourism. Discussions included necessary infrastructure improvements and updates to the legislative framework governing the sector.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, addressed the conference and outlined the government’s vision for the development of tourism, emphasising the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders.

Key initiatives presented during the conference included the development of new tourism products focused on gastronomy, culture, nature, and authentic experiences to provide Cyprus with a competitive edge. The rebranding of Cyprus in the global tourism market, improvement of infrastructure, and workforce development were also underlined. The conference concluded with closing remarks on the proposals discussed.

Eleni Kaloyirou, Chief Executive Officer of Hermes Airports, stated, “Our goal in organising the 'Beyond Sea & Sun' conference is to initiate meaningful discussions about enhancing and strengthening our tourist product offering within the framework of governmental policy. By bringing all key industry stakeholders together, we aim to create a roadmap that promotes responsible tourism practices, supports local economies, and ensures the development of a year-round tourism destination for future generations.”