Cyprus’ Cabinet has approved five tourism programs covering Kato Pyrgos Tyllirias, conference tourism, foreign sports teams, rural experiences and Christmas villages. Announced Thursday by Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis, the measures aim to diversify tourism, support local businesses and attract visitors to less-developed parts of the island.
€1.5 Million Scheme Targets Kato Pyrgos Tyllirias
The largest measure is a €1.5 million grant program for hotels, tourist accommodation and leisure centers in Kato Pyrgos Tyllirias. Running from 2026 to 2028, it will cover up to 85% of eligible spending on improvement projects.
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Koumis said the initiative addresses the area’s development challenges while supporting a remote border community with natural and cultural attractions.
Conference And Sports Tourism Get Funding
A conference tourism program will receive €150,000 annually from 2026 through 2029. Its four-year duration is intended to give organizers greater certainty when planning events and help support tourism outside the peak summer season.
Another program will provide €400,000 annually through 2029 to attract foreign sports teams to Cyprus for training. Overseas teams, clubs, federations, academies, tour operators and licensed travel agencies will be eligible.
Rural Experiences And Christmas Villages
An annual €100,000 program will support workshops focused on traditional crafts, agricultural and livestock products, wine and gastronomy.
The initiative aims to connect tourism with local production and traditions while promoting the countryside. A separate €640,000 program for Christmas villages in 2027 will support events designed to strengthen winter tourism and attract visitors to rural and mountainous communities.
Strategy Targets Tourism Seasonality
The four programs outside Kato Pyrgos represent €1.29 million in funding, bringing the total approved allocation to €2.79 million. Koumis said the measures form part of a wider strategy to reduce seasonality, develop specialized tourism segments and spread visitor spending more evenly across Cyprus.
