Geopolitical challenges, the consequences of climate change, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the tourism industry were among the topics discussed on Tuesday by panel speakers at the Investopia Global Mediterranean Forum in Limassol, with the participation of Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis, Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, and Lebanese Minister of Tourism Laura Khazen Lahoud.
According to Koumis, the biggest trend now is the preference of millions of citizens of the world towards eco-friendly destinations, hotels and resorts as they have realized that the climate change has created consequences to destinations and are taking into consideration the practices used by these destinations, the countries, the hotels and the resorts.
He added that another trend is an increasing demand for travelling in general, for solo travelling and for participation in events, while describing the appearance of AI as a catalyst for changes in the tourist industry which again creates several trends that travelers are taking into consideration.
As regards the priorities of the tourism sector in Cyprus, the Deputy Minister said that after the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of the Russian market, the top priority in March 2023 was to bring back the sector to pre-pandemic levels.
“Cyprus has already exceeded the pre pandemic levels. Last year we had a record in terms of tourist arrivals and revenues. Having achieved that, our top priority now is to convert Cyprus to a year-round quality and eco-friendly destination. It is not easy because as a destination in the Mediterranean area we suffer from seasonality”, he noted in that regard.
He added that Cyprus needs to work on improving its connectivity and the pull factor as a tourist destination, especially during the winter period, while promoting the authentic side of the country.
Greek Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, said for her part that geopolitical challenges always influence tourism, adding that sustainability and climate change are challenges that the tourism sector not only needs to take into consideration but needs to be at the forefront of addressing them. We need to be very proactive on how to shape tourism for the future, she added.
She also pointed out that new markets, such as China and India, have begun to emerge in the international tourism environment, while noting that the demographic characteristics of travelers and the needs and demands of each generation of travelers, such as Gen Z and Millennials, should be taken into account.
The Minister of Tourism of Lebanon, Laura Khazen Lahoud, said that the country’s biggest wealth is the sense of hospitality.
“Lebanon is back, the government is taking all the necessary measures and reforms so we can be a tourist destination again”, she noted, adding that travelers need more meaningful and responsible tourism and that Lebanon offers “a cultural depth that people need to rediscover.”
UN Tourism Secretary-General, Shaikha Al Nowais, said that geopolitics are keeping travel industry on its toes, while another challenge to the industry is talent.
“It is very important to get the right talent that will be able to integrate with the different trends and technology advancements that are coming into the industry and to know how to use these trends to provide a better experience for the traveler. It is very important to remain agile as an industry and know how to evolve depending on travelers’ interests and needs”, she noted.
Finally, Cyprus Hotel Association President, Thanos Michaelides, said that global economic growth is a force shaping the industry, as travel has become more accessible to more people.
He noted that the tourism industry is shaped by the preferences of the new generation of travelers, “and it is our job to be able to meet these needs,” while pointing out the prospects that technology opens up for the development of marketing to attract travelers.
Michaelides also stressed that finding human resources is a challenge in Cyprus and Greece and that “we need people who embody what we call the ethos of hospitality, so that they can meet the demands of our industry.”
Also read: Washington continues to advocate for a peaceful reunification of Cyprus
Source: CNA
