Nicosia: The Deputy Ministry of Tourism in Cyprus is actively implementing the European Tourism Agenda 2030, which was set up in 2022. This initiative includes a series of actions and incentive plans aimed at transforming the tourism sector, Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis announced at the Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises conference.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Koumis emphasized that the government is committed to guiding the tourism sector into a new era, considering recent developments and maintaining respect for businesses and local communities. During his speech, attended by Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Yiannis Panayiotou, Koumis outlined the five priority pillars of the European Tourism Agenda 2030. These pillars include the green transition, digital transition, building resilience, social inclusion, support for education through skilling, upskilling, and reskilling, and the adoption of new legislative measures.
Koumis highlighted that the government is attentively monitoring developments within the European Union and any factors that could impact tourism in Cyprus. He stressed that sustainable tourism development is the only viable path forward.
The Deputy Minister noted that the Ministry is leveraging the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, having already started distributing funds to tourism businesses and local communities. The funding is expected to exceed £20 million upon completion of the initiative.
The government continues to invest in enhancing the qualitative characteristics of Cyprus as a tourist destination. Koumis provided examples such as supporting the countryside, mountainous, and remote areas, and hotel businesses in these regions. He also mentioned investments in the authenticity of Cyprus, including local products, through incentive plans featuring strong green and digital dimensions.
In conclusion, Koumis affirmed, “We invested in local communities, visitors, people, and businesses, whose strong and timeless contribution we certainly recognise.”