AGROTOURISM has grown from being of interest only to tourists and is on its way to becoming an alternative to the beach for Cypriots as well,
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, Evi Panayiotou, a representative of the Cyprus Agrotourism Company said Cypriots too were discovering the benefits of “this new way of holidaying”.
“In the past four years, we have noted increased development in agrotourism in Cyprus. I believe that the demand and the interest in agrotourism will increase,” she said.
Initially established by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation in the nineties, the agrotourism project set in motion a programme of restoration of traditional houses and enhancement of the traditional element in Cyprus villages,
An action plan was implemented which offered economic incentives for the restoration of traditional lodgings in Cyprus’ villages aiming at maintaining the old traditional architecture in the countryside. In addition, a plan was implemented giving subsidies to small and medium sized enterprises for the promotion of alternative economic activities.
Panayiotou said that today agrotourism was an autonomous, vibrant part of local scenery
The need for better and more organised co-ordination of agrotourism ultimatley led to the establishment of the Cyprus Agrotourism Company, a body dealing exclusively with holidays in the Cypriot countryside.
Now holidaymakers have the opportunity to choose from among 100 lodgings in more than 40 villages with a total capacity of 800 beds.
Lodgings can be found in the districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos as well as in the Troodos mountain region.
Prices for traditional houses vary between €120-€200 per night for 4-8 people, while two people can find rooms for €50-€70 per night.
Panayiotou said some of these traditional houses function as small hotels, offering visitors breakfast as well as the opportunity to dine in their small restaurants.
“Although they are equipped in a modern way, they still keep their traditional character,” she said.
Panayiotou said agrotourism offered visitors the daily hands-on experience of the rich traditions of village life, such as slow pace of rural life, folk customs, daily activities, and the authentic tastes of traditional cuisine, with the traditional Cypriot hospitality that has been lost or waning in sections of the island’s mass market tourism.
“Cyprus has more than 80 nature trails to offer, bicycle routes, traditional wineries in villages,” said Panayiotou.
