Efforts to extended tourist season in 2025, Deputy Minister says

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis has said that an extended tourist season and an enhanced tourism product are among his ministry's goals for 2025, after an exceptional year in 2024, which saw record-breaking results in both tourism revenue and tourists arrivals.

According to Koumis, in statements to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), the performance of Cyprus’ tourism sector in 2024 was outstanding, achieving record highs in both tourism revenues and the number of visitors from abroad. He noted that the aim for 2024 was for the tourism industry in Cyprus to feel satisfied with the results, adding that the state also aims for high performance in tourism, given that it is one of the most important pillars of the Cypriot economy.

Looking ahead, the Deputy Minister emphasised that the target for 2025 is to replicate the excellent results of 2024. One of the key long-term objectives is the gradual extension of the tourist season, with the ultimate goal of moving towards year-round tourism in Cyprus. Kostas Koumis explained that a major focus of their strategy is to maintain high performance throughout the later months of the year, noting that October and November in 2024 performed almost as well as the summer months. He also mentioned that many travel agents extended their programs through to mid-November, contributing to the country’s tourism growth during the off-season.

Referring to President Christodoulides announcements for government's goals for 2025, the Deputy Minister said that efforts to diversify Cyprus' tourism product are made, particularly by developing new attractions. One area being explored is that of the thematic parks, which, as Koumis stated could further enrich the country’s tourism product. "We consider that as a country we have a very strong 'pull factor' during the summer period, mainly through our excellent beaches and high-quality services", he said. "However, in order to improve tourism during winter, we need to diversify our offerings, and thematic parks could play an important role in this," he added. The Ministry is already working on creating a policy framework to support the creation of such parks, he said.

In addition to broadening the tourism product, the Ministry is focused on expanding Cyprus’ reach to new markets. The country already attracts tourists from over 30 countries, but the focus is now shifting to regions from where Cyprus has had traditionally lower numbers, such as the United States, China, and Central Asia. Koumis said that efforts to tap into the U.S. market include online advertising campaigns targeting the East Coast, as well as building relationships with relevant organisations there. However, he cautioned that significant results from these new markets would take time, emphasising that the process is long-term and requires significant investments.

The same goes for the China market, as the Deputy Minister explained that the Ministry has already made efforts to engage with Chinese air carriers and media to promote Cyprus as a destination. "We met with representatives from Juneyao Airlines and had visits from Chinese bloggers and journalists," Koumis said. "These actions are aimed at gradually increasing demand, although we do not expect dramatic results in 2025," he noted. He added that there is a need to be realistic when setting expectations for these new markets, as substantial growth requires considerable investment and time.

Regarding the more established markets, Koumis said that most of them have reached their peak during the summer months, so Cyprus is putting increased emphasis on extending the tourist season in order to grow its market share. This strategy helps ensure that Cyprus remains competitive by keeping the tourism sector active throughout the year, he noted.

Regarding the President Christodoulides' announcements for the Paphos marina, the Deputy Minister said that the project was officially launched in July 2024. The marina will be built under the DBFOT model (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer) and will accommodate up to 1,000 vessels. Koumis explained that the project is currently in the market exploration stage, with the next major step being the expression of interest process, which is expected to take place in 2025. He noted that the marina could also feature a section for cruise ship reception.

Koumis also addressed the issue of upgrading specific tourist destinations in Cyprus, especially those located inland. "All destinations have their own unique characteristics and potential for further development", he said. "Our responsibility is to highlight the comparative advantages of these destinations and improve them," he added. This approach will help promote less-visited parts of Cyprus and attract tourists beyond the more popular coastal areas, he added. He noted that the Ministry is working on a plan to visit these areas, with a particular focus on increasing their appeal during the off-season months.

(Source: CNA)