A SPECIAL steering committee to manage a possible tourism crisis is to be set up immediately, Tourism Minister Antonis Paschalides said yesterday.
Following a meeting of stakeholders in Nicosia, Pasachalides said it was decided the best way forward was a committee that met regularly and could take decisions quickly.
Tourism bosses have been asking for weeks for measures to be taken to counter the effects that the global financial crisis is likely to have on the already ailing Cyprus tourism industry.
The World Tourism Organisation has predicted a global average drop in tourism of 12 per cent next year.
In Cyprus, hoteliers and others in the industry have submitted their proposals, along with a Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) crisis plan to the government.
They say the matter is urgent and needs to be resolved before the World Tourism Market fair in London on November 10.
The government has said it is drawing up an overall plan for the economy, in which tourism would be one of the main focus points.
“We are determined to address any problems,” said Paschalides. “Even if there is an international crisis, tourism in Cyprus, despite some problems, has and will have a future.”
Paschalides said another meeting of stakeholders would be held today.
He said yesterday’s meeting was substantive and productive, and views were exchanged. Future meetings might also include tour operators to discuss new markets.
“It is already known that we are moving in Russia, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries but also in Germany and the Nordic countries,” said Paschalides. He also mentioned the possibility of expanding into the Arab market.
Paschalides said there was also a drive to boost domestic tourism. The CTO was launching a programme ‘Small Escape, Great Experience’, which involved packages that included a hotel stay, meals at a tavern and an excursion.
Members of the Cyprus Hotels Association is also offering reduced rates for residents for the winter season, and Cyprus Airways (CY) yesterday also announced cut-price fares and extra flights, but not without a dig at the Minister.
Paschalides said on Monday he would ask CY and Eurocypria to reduce fares to and from Athens and London to boost tourism.
“After the drop in the price of fuel and within the framework of the problems that the tourist industry faces due to the world economic recession, the air carriers must contribute to minimise the impacts of the crisis on the tourist industry,” he said.
But CY spokesman Kyriacos Kyriacou said the airline reduced fares at this time every year for the winter season.
“We were a bit surprised when we heard the statement of the Minister calling on our company to reduce prices,” he said.
He said CY regularly reduced its fares in November, reductions that lasted through to the end of March every year, he said.
“Our prices from London start at £150 sterling before taxes,” he said. “This brings more Britons to our island.”
He also said that by next week, the airline would be announcing its new prices out of Cyprus to Rome, Milan, Cairo, Paris, Sofia and Dubai. ‘These fares will be very low,” Kyriacou said.
CY will operate some 48 extra flights to and from Greece for the Christmas period and 28 extra flights to help transport Muslims to Mecca through Jeddah for their annual pilgrimage.
Holiday season will begin on December 13 though to January 10.
