Nicosia: Greece and Cyprus must proceed with respect for the environment and the principles of sustainability in further developing their tourism product, as they are both destinations dependent on their natural beauty, said Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis at the 2nd Cyprus-Greece Summit in Nicosia on Wednesday afternoon. Noting that tourism is a great asset for both countries, he said that in 2023 the contribution of tourism in Greece exceeded 19% of GDP and in Cyprus it reached 12.9%, while it is estimated that in 2024 it will rise to 13.5%.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Koumis discussed the similarities and differences between the two destinations, highlighting their common characteristics as “sun and sea” destinations with hospitable people and shared historical and mythological elements. However, he noted that Greece is a larger destination with a widely recognized civilization history and a strong brand name in its capital, Athens.
Koumis addressed the issue of seasonality, pointing out th
at demand is much lower in winter than in summer. He cited outbound travel demand in the UK, which is down 40% in winter, as an example. The Deputy Minister mentioned several government measures aimed at promoting tourism during the winter months to address this challenge.
Discussing flight connectivity, Koumis noted that Cyprus has two international airports while Greece has 15. He mentioned that 55 companies operate routes in Cyprus and emphasized the successful efforts to improve air connectivity post-pandemic, which earned Cyprus a global destination of the year award at a global airline conference in Bahrain. However, he acknowledged the lack of direct flights from China and the USA to Cyprus and expressed optimism about a potential air link with India by 2026.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted the Greek Government’s initiative to create a Coastal and Marine Tourism Observatory aimed at protecting the Mediterranean coastline. He noted the high number of coasts with erosion problems and stressed the
need for a holistic approach to address this issue, emphasizing the importance of coastal tourism for both countries.
In conclusion, Koumis emphasized that the biggest challenge for both Greece and Cyprus is to maintain the upward trend in tourism while respecting the environment and principles of sustainability, as tourism is vital to the daily life of thousands of families in both countries.