Protecting and sustainably managing tourist destinations has become the sector's biggest challenge now that the tourism crisis has largely been overcome, Cyprus Tourism Minister Costas Koumis said on Friday after meeting the newly elected leadership of the Cyprus Hotel Association (PASYXE).
According to the Tourism Ministry, the meeting reviewed the performance of the tourism sector, with participants expressing satisfaction that the industry had returned to a stable footing despite the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
New markets
Discussions also focused on long-term planning, including protecting tourist destinations, strengthening Cyprus' air connectivity and advancing the long-standing goal of establishing the island as a year-round destination.
Koumis said the meeting covered issues that have shaped the country's tourism sector for years, including attracting new markets, strengthening existing ones, promoting Cyprus abroad and advancing the concept of destination stewardship.
He said closer cooperation between the public and private sectors was essential, arguing that countries investing in the protection and sustainable management of individual destinations would be best placed to succeed in the decades ahead.
Restoring past successes
Koumis also congratulated PASYXE President Yiannos Pantazis and the association's newly elected board, saying strong cooperation between the public and private sectors had long been one of the keys to the success of Cyprus' tourism industry.
Pantazis said the meeting reaffirmed a shared belief that tourism thrives when the public and private sectors work closely together. He added that both sides had agreed to intensify their contacts in the coming months.
Looking ahead, Pantazis said the sector was already working towards restoring tourism performance in 2027 to the levels achieved in 2025.
Source: CNA
