THE CYPRUS Tourism Organisation has announced a £400,000 Wine Routes Project, which should be up and running in two years.
Vakis Loizides, project leader at the CTO, told the Cyprus Mail that the plan will be implemented within the framework of the overall tourist strategy which has as its main axis, culture and the environment.
“The project combines cultural, touristic, environmental and educational objectives and aims to present and promote Cyprus’ long tradition in wine producing from a multi-dimensional approach.
“It’s expected that the project will strengthen the competitiveness of the island’s tourist product, especially the hinterland, which is a priority of the strategic development plan.”
He added that the project is co-financed by the structural funds of the European Union and covers the five vine producing areas of Laona, Vouni Panagia-Ampelitis, Commandaria, Pitsilia and the Limassol wine villages.
The Cyprus Wine Museum, as well as archaeological and other thematic museums
and traditional wine presses will be included and promoted in the routes.
Loizides explained that the target markets are, “wine lovers, local visitors, sun and sea holidaymakers and cultural and agro tourists.”
The project proposes thirteen different routes in the Paphos, Limassol and
Pitsilia areas.
The first phase will cover six routes, which will be ready by 2008. There will be signposting of routes, organisation of cultural events, the design of a specialised
website and DVD as well as maps and tourist guides for the routes.
Two special routes will be devoted to Commandaria.
“It is well-known that wine-rich Cyprus produced sweet wine in ancient times which
the Crusaders themselves made famous in the west, as the wine of Cyprus when it was still a Byzantine island,” Loizides said.
Seven magazine’s wine expert George Kassianos described the project as a good idea. “Firstly, any sort of Cypriot wine promotion is very good for the image of our island’s wine industry and I’m sure hoteliers will also be pleased as the routes will hopefully attract special interest tourism.”
The 13 Routes
1. Laona: Akoursos- Kathikas- Pano Kato Arodes- Ineia- Drousia-
Kritou Tera
2. Laona: Kato Akourdalia – Pano Akourdalia- Pegeia
3. Vouni Panagia – Ampelitis:Asprogia- Kanaviou-
AgiosDemetrianos- Psathi- Polemi- Stroumpi- Tsada- Koili
4. Vouni Panagia – Ampelitis: Timi – Anarita -Nata- Aksilou-
Amargeti- Pentalia- Ampelitis- Agia Moni- Moni Chrysorogiatissas- Pano
Panagia
5. Limassol Wine Villages: Mandria- Omodos- Potamiou- Vasa-
Malia- Arsos- Gerovassa- Dora-Pachna- Anogyra- Avdimou
6. Limassol Wine Villages: Kolossi – Erimi -Pano Kivides-Agios
Amvrosios- Vouni- Koilani- Agia Mavri- Pera Pedi
7. Limassol Wine Villages: Pera Pedi – Lofou – Alassa – Lemesos
8. Commandaria wine route: Alassa- Monagri- Doros-Agios Georgios- Silikou-
Kouka- Trimiklini- Lania-Agios Mamas
9. Commandaria wine route: Lemesos Liminiatis- Korfi- Apesia- Gerasa-
Apsiou- Fasoula- Spitali Palodia
10. Wine route Pitsilia: Germasogia – Arkounda – Arakapas- Kalo Chorio-
Zoopigi- Kato Mulos-Agios Ioannis- Agros
11. Wine Route Pitsilia: Spilia- Karvounas- Kyperounta- Dymes- Potamitissa-
Pelendri- Chandria- Afridia
12. Wine route Pitsilia: Askas- Alona- Platanistassa- Livadia- Lagoudera-
Spilia
13. Wine route Pitsilia: Odou- Farmakas-Apliki- Palaichori
