Nicosia: The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) proudly announces the successful completion of the sustainability journey undertaken by 25 Cypriot tourism SMEs as part of the I-STARS – Island Sustainable Tourism Action through Resilient SMEs project. Through targeted funding, technical guidance, and personalised support, these businesses have taken significant steps toward becoming more sustainable, resilient, and competitive in the green transition of the tourism sector.
According to Cyprus News Agency, a total of £138,878 was allocated to the 25 Cypriot grantees, enabling them to design and implement actions that strengthen their environmental performance and embed sustainability in their daily operations. Over the course of their journey, SMEs carried out a wide range of activities, including the development of Sustainability Strategy Action Plans tailored to their business models, conducting food waste audits leading to waste-reduction measures, and improved resource management.
Other initiatives included energy audits to identify energy-saving opportunities and the adoption of sustainability certifications aligned with international good practices. The introduction of innovative, responsible tourism measures engaged staff, suppliers, and visitors. These achievements demonstrate that even small businesses can make measurable progress in sustainability when empowered with the right tools, support, and incentives.
Cyprus-based SMEs that completed the I-STARS Sustainability Journey include notable names such as Adelfoi Antoniou Estiatorio, Aliathon Resort, and Amathus Corporation, among others. These businesses have showcased their ability to integrate sustainable practices effectively.
Five short videos featuring inspiring stories from selected grantees who benefited from the I-STARS Grant Scheme are available on the CCCI YouTube channel. These videos highlight how local tourism businesses embraced sustainability, improved operations, and strengthened their market positioning.
I-STARS is an EU-funded initiative empowering tourism SMEs across five island regions-Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and Spain-to accelerate their transition towards sustainability. By offering grants, training, tools, and personalised consultancy, the project enables small tourism enterprises to innovate, reduce their environmental footprint, and adopt responsible business practices that contribute to the long-term resilience of the European tourism ecosystem.