Newsroom
Cyprus is having a tough time improving its winter tourism, according to Kathimerini's Dorita Yiannakou, even though more tourists are visiting and spending more money. The island’s tourism officials are finding it hard to put together a successful plan to attract visitors during the colder months.
Recently, Cyprus saw a rise in winter tourists, with arrivals increasing from 654,000 last year to 698,000 this year. Tourism revenue also went up from €295.1 million to €354 million. This growth is partly due to more flights available, especially from Israel, despite ongoing regional issues.
However, the tourism sector is facing big challenges. There’s been a dramatic drop in flight availability from important European markets like France (down 74%), Denmark (down 67%), and Sweden (down 36%). This reduction is making it harder for Cyprus to attract visitors from these countries.
Chrisemily Psilogeni, head of the Cyprus Tourism Businesses Association, said Cyprus needs a better plan to develop its winter tourism. She pointed out that current efforts are not enough, and Cyprus is not included in many major winter tourism programs. She believes that creating a successful year-round tourism strategy will take time but is crucial for long-term success.
In response, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism is working on new projects to promote different types of tourism, such as eco-friendly travel, farm stays, and mountain trips. They are also focusing on using social media to market Cyprus better and are offering incentives for conferences and sports events, which are growing in popularity.
Overall, while there are some positive signs with increased visitors and revenue, Cyprus still faces challenges in becoming a top winter destination and needs continued effort and better coordination among tourism stakeholders.
