THE PROMOTION of alternative tourism sectors such as eco-tourism and agrotourism is the focus of a new CTO project.
The CTO and the Ministry of Commerce organised an alternative tourism information day in Limassol yesterday, where they reiterated their commitment to developing alternative tourism as a priority for Cyprus’ tourism strategy.
“The development and promotion of alternative forms of tourism are among the tops priority of the state’s strategy on tourism. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, as well as the CTO are giving emphasis to the substantial improvement and organisation of the cycling tourism, agrotourism and conference tourism products,” said Stathis Hamboullas, General Director of the Ministry of Commerce.
Yesterday’s event, titled ‘The prospects of developing alternative forms of tourism, with emphasis on agrotourism, ecotourism and cultural tourism in rural areas of Paphos and Limassol’, included a presentation of findings from an ongoing INTEREGG project in which Greece and Cyprus are partners. Specifically, the project involves promoting alternative tourism in Limassol, Paphos and Ierapetra in Crete.
The promotion of alternative tourism in these areas, ultimately aims at the broadening of the tourist period to eradicate the phenomenon of the ‘winter blues’ for Cypriot tourism.
“Village tourism and alternative forms of tourism are attracting increasing interest as special forms of tourism in Europe. Ierapetra, Limassol and Paphos can enlarge the tourist period through these alternative forms, turning it into a four-season tourism,” said CTO President Panos Englezos.
The realisation that sun and sea are not enough to attract quality tourism is at the core of the decision to promote alternative forms of tourism.
“After decades of rule by ‘package holidays’, many visitors are starting to set themselves apart from the usual and overused recipe of the sun and sea.
“Visitors seek attractions that will get them interested in an area or activity. Something new, something different,” explained Dora Mandala, representative of Ierapetra Tourism Development Company.
As part of such efforts, the CTO has in recent years created the Cyprus Agrotourism Organisation, promoting traditional village accommodation, promoted nature trails, wine trails and religious tourism routes.
