Source: CNA
Vouni, Kalopanagiotis and Steni are the first communities that have been awarded the "Colourful Villages" certificate by the Ministry of Tourism. Representatives of the 3 villages received the certificate in an event held on Monday, May 30th in Vouni in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Savva Perdios.
"The ultimate goal of the "Colourful Villages" Certification label is to develop a culture aimed at preserving the unique identity, natural wealth and cultural heritage of each community..."
A press release from the Tourism Ministry announced that through the "Colourful Villages" program villages or communities will be awarded on the basis of how well visible pollution has been reduced, the maintenance of cleanliness in prominent places, the improvement of offered services and infrastructure, as well as how well the villages preserve and make the most of the natural environment with an emphasis on biodiversity.
"The ultimate goal of the "Colourful Villages" Certification label is to develop a culture aimed at preserving the unique identity, natural wealth and cultural heritage of each community while providing benefits to the local community in the context of sustainable development," the statement said.
The awarded villages will receive significant promotion both in Cyprus and abroad, by the Ministry of Tourism, with the aim of increasing their tourism traffic, the Ministry notes.
In an address, the Deputy Minister of Tourism congratulated the communities that achieved the certification and underlined the emphasis placed by the Ministry of Tourism on enriching the tourist experience through authentic expressions of the Cypriot countryside. He also referred to various programs that improve the services and infrastructure offered by the communities while highlighting their unique competitive advantages.
