Cyprus’ Minister of Tourism Unveils Tourism Development Plans
Cyprus’ Minister of Tourism Unveils Tourism Development Plans
The Cyprus Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Antonis Paschalides, presented the most important new investment projects of the Cyprus tourism industry to the Fifth Annual Student Conference for New Investment Projects of the Tourism Industry in Cyprus at the University of Nicosia.
He said the government of Cyprus is continually supporting and encouraging its tourism. The Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO), he added, “has announced a co-funded Incentive Scheme for investments in the enrichment of the tourist product and modernization of the tourist enterprises.” He also said the CTO will further develop rural areas include the development of the Wine Routes, Cycling Routes and other cultural routes.
New football training fields have also been developed with the organization’s assistance in Limassol, said Paschalides, in order to cater for the increasing demand for foreign football teams training during the winter months. A new sports infrastructure project is currently being planned by the municipality of Larnaca, which will include training fields, tennis courts, archery range, etc. Furthermore, the construction of the new Olympic Shooting Range will be completed before the end of the year, a tennis center is being developed in the Famagusta area and a new ski station is being planned by the Cyprus Ski Federation in Troodos.
In accordance with the National Golf Policy, which aims to create up to 14 golf courses, Paschalides said, new applications are under review for investments in golf-related developments. Regarding the goal of promoting nautical tourism, the project of the construction of the Limassol Marina, which also includes residential and commercial developments, said Paschalides, has begun and is expected to be completed in 2012.
As for both the combined development of the new port and marina in Larnaca and the marina in Agia Napa, these are in the final stages of the negotiation phase with selected investors. Regarding the marina in Paphos, he said quotations have been submitted by investors. Complementing all these and supporting cruise tourism will be the new, modern passenger terminal being constructed at the Limassol port.
For the organization, development and promotion of conferences and incentives, the Cyprus Tourism Organization and the Minister of Commerce has just launched the pilot implementation of the Cyprus Convention Bureau within the organization. The creation of the International Conference Center in Limassol is currently being promoted by the Limassol Regional Tourism Board in cooperation with the government, while the International Conference Centre in Nicosia is being refurbished by the government to host a large number of conferences that will be held during the Cyprus E.U. presidency in 2012.
Additionally, cultural tourism has been identified in Cyprus as a potential growth area. The new Cyprus Cultural Centre in Nicosia will be completed within three years while the construction of the new Archaeological Museum in Nicosia is under way and should be completed by 2017, the year when one city in Cyprus will be declared the Cultural Capital of Europe.
Furthermore, new investments have also been developed in the sector of medical and wellness tourism, with the creation of new Rehabilitation, Wellness and Medical Centers. The aim is to attract more healthcare travelers and notable examples include the American Heart Institute and the Ayioi Anargyroi Natural Healing Spa Resort.
