Hoteliers Association highlights need for public-private sector cooperation

The cooperation of the public and private sectors to further strengthen and promote the tourism product was the common reference during the Cyprus Hotel Association (CHA) AGM.

CHA is best known by its Greek acronym, PASYXE, and the 27 June event was the last time its current President, Haris Loizides, would be addressing the association's AGM as he is stepping down from the post after twenty years.

Addressing the event, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, highlighted the resilience of the tourism industry, despite the challenges tourism was faced with. He said that the tourist industry has the ability to cope with any challenges, adding that the state recognises the hoteliers’ decisive contribution to the local economy over the years.

He referred to the challenges before us such as inflation and the increase in rates at an international level but also the climate crisis, green transition, and digital transformation, which undoubtedly affect tourism and the competitiveness of our country.

Christodoulides said that there is a plan to face these difficulties and have a robust economy, making special reference to the previous government, the former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, and the former Minister of Finance Constantinos Petrides.

He also pointed out the need for collaboration with the private sector to reach a common plan and coordinate actions.

Christodoulides recalled that the Cabinet has already approved the establishment of the Tourism Promotion Agency and therefore the participation of the private sector in the decision-making process for the promotion of our country as a tourist destination.

According to President Christodoulides, the continuous upgrading of infrastructures, which is directly intertwined with the strengthening of the competitiveness of our country's tourism product, is of decisive importance.

The President referred to the marinas under construction and already established, in Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Larnaca as well as the tender announcement for the Paphos Marina, saying that these are important steps forward that will certainly strengthen the tourism product of our country.

He said that the hotel industry, in particular, is one of the most basic pillars of the Cypriot economy and assured the hoteliers that the state will be by their side and will support them.

He also made special reference to Haris Loizides and his 20-year tenure, his role, and his devotion.

In his address, Tourism Deputy Minister Costas Koumis also highlighted the cooperation with professional associations and agencies, in order to strengthen tourism. He said that PASYXE AGM coincides with the end of a period, during which tourism both in our country and at the international level was faced with unprecedented challenges.

He said that 2022 was also full of new challenges for Cyprus, as there was a loss of almost 900,000 arrivals from nations impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which had to be replaced by other markets such as Poland, Israel, Germany, and France.

Koumis said that the target is a 5% - 10% annual increase in tourist flows by 2023, saying the announcement was modestly optimistic in a period when there is fading recession in the United Kingdom, Cyprus' largest market, the rise of inflation in Europe, while the Russian market, Cyprus's second-largest market, is gone.

He said that we see a slowdown in bookings, which is a global phenomenon.

The Deputy Minister also said that the aim is to also solve long-lasting problems the industry is faced with such as the extension of the tourist period.

Outgoing President of PASYXE Harris Loizides called on everyone to continue to support the tourism product. He said that all these years they have done everything humanly possible to strengthen and protect the hospitality industry and by extension the Cypriot economy.

The GA presented Savvas Perdios with an award, as Cyprus’ first Tourism Deputy Minister. An award was also given to Zacharias Ioannides, who served as the General Director of the Association for almost 40 years.

(Source: CNA)