Greece and Cyprus must move forward with respect for the environment and the principles of sustainability to further develop their tourism products, as both destinations rely heavily on their natural beauty, said Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis at the 2nd Cyprus-Greece Business Forum on Wednesday afternoon.
Highlighting the significant role of tourism for both countries, Koumis noted that in 2023, tourism contributed over 19% of Greece’s GDP and 12.9% of Cyprus’s GDP, with projections estimating this figure will rise to 13.5% in 2024.
Similarities and Differences in Destinations
Asked about the similarities and differences between the two destinations, Koumis stated that the most notable similarity is that both are largely “sun and sea” destinations. “We are also hospitable people, with shared elements of history and mythology, which both countries strive to promote,” he added. As for differences, he pointed out that Greece is a larger destination, better known for its history of Greek civilization and with a strong brand identity for its capital city.
Tackling Seasonality
Koumis identified seasonality as a common challenge for both destinations. He noted that winter demand is significantly lower compared to summer, citing outbound travel from the UK as an example, which decreases by 40% during winter. The key, he said, is to keep destinations active during the winter months, outlining several government initiatives aimed at achieving this goal.
Specifically, he mentioned incentive schemes introduced by the Deputy Ministry to promote the organization of sports and cultural events during the off-season, bringing life to these destinations. Additionally, he referred to a decision by the Council of Ministers for a Ministry of Labour training program that encourages businesses to remain open during the winter. “We support employment instead of unemployment. We aim to keep destinations open,” he said, highlighting November 2025 as a major milestone.
“We have succeeded in October; it’s no different from the summer months. This October was the best in history,” Koumis said, adding that progress had been made for parts of November and March. He clarified that not all destinations have the same trajectory, with Paphos achieving a nine-month season and progressing steadily towards year-round operations by diversifying beyond just “sun and sea.”
Air Connectivity
On air connectivity, Koumis noted that Cyprus has two international airports compared to Greece’s 15. Cyprus hosts flights from 55 airlines, he said, adding that the goal was to bring back airlines after the pandemic or to increase their flight frequency, which had been successfully achieved. He highlighted that Cyprus received a global destination of the year award at the World Aviation Conference in Bahrain for its efforts to improve air connectivity.
However, Koumis pointed out a major difference between Cyprus and Greece: Cyprus lacks direct flights to China and the US. “We pay the price of Cyprus’s demographic reality, which cannot sustain outbound tourism to these destinations,” he said, noting that efforts are underway to boost demand from these regions. He expressed optimism that direct flights to India could become a reality by 2026 if airlines acquire the necessary aircraft on time.
Tourism Markets
Responding to questions, Koumis said the UK is Cyprus’s largest tourism market, followed by Russia, which has been lost, along with the emerging Ukrainian market. He explained that the gap has been filled by other markets, with Israel now ranking second, and significant growth observed in Poland and other European countries. For Greece, the top markets for many years have been Germany and the UK, each accounting for 16% of the market in 2023. He noted that in both countries, the top five markets are European.
Sustainability and Coastal Tourism
The Deputy Minister also discussed a Greek government initiative to establish a Coastal and Maritime Tourism Observatory about a year ago. The aim is to protect the Mediterranean coastline, as both destinations rely on coastal tourism, with beaches being their comparative advantage. He emphasized that many coastal areas face significant erosion problems. “A holistic approach is imperative and necessary. As a country, we supported this initiative,” he said.
The Challenge Ahead
Concluding, Koumis said the greatest challenge for both countries is to sustain the upward trajectory of tourism, as thousands of families in Cyprus and Greece depend on it. However, he emphasized that the more significant challenge is to demonstrate respect for the environment and the principles of sustainability, as tourism in both countries relies on their natural beauty. “We cannot proceed without respecting the principles of sustainability,” he concluded.
Also read: Deputy Minister of Tourism: Record arrivals in Cyprus in 2024
Source: CNA
