Cyprus is exploring a new way to diversify its tourism offering, with factories, dairies, wineries and even quarries potentially becoming visitor attractions under plans being developed by the Nicosia Tourism Board.

Turning Production Into An Experience

The initiative aims to transform working production facilities into tourism destinations, allowing visitors to see how local products are made while discovering Cyprus’ industrial heritage. Industrial tourism is already well established in several European countries, where both active factories and historic production sites attract thousands of visitors each year.

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“It is important that we begin building authentic experiences linked to the history of the country,” Sotiris Christoforou, an officer at the Nicosia Tourism Board. He added that the initiative could also help introduce younger generations to different industries and career opportunities.

A Tourism Model Built Around Local Strengths

Although Cyprus lacks large-scale heavy industry, officials believe several sectors are well suited to this type of tourism, particularly food production. Ideas under consideration include guided visits to halloumi producers, wineries, dairies, food manufacturers and ice cream factories.

Christoforou noted that Cyprus’ three major ice cream producers: Papafilippou, Heracles and Regis, have been operating since the 1950s and could offer visitors a unique perspective on the island’s industrial and cultural development.

Potential routes could also include mines, quarries and the Troodos UNESCO Global Geopark, which received UNESCO Global Geopark status in 2015.

Balancing Tourism And Industry

Opening production facilities to visitors will require careful planning. Organisers are examining issues such as health and safety, visitor management and the certification of specialised guides to ensure tourism activities do not interfere with day-to-day operations.

For participating businesses, the initiative could provide more than an additional revenue stream by strengthening brand visibility and creating closer connections with consumers.

Part Of A Wider European Project

The proposal forms part of the four-year IndusTour project, funded through the Interreg Europe programme and co-financed by the European Union.

As part of the initiative, Nicosia recently hosted the Industrial Tourism Conference: Enhancing Visitor Experiences and Promoting Local Businesses, bringing together tourism experts, researchers and public authorities from Cyprus, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia and Denmark.

According to Christoforou, the current phase focuses on analysing successful industrial tourism models across Europe to identify practices that could be adapted locally. If implemented, the initiative could broaden Cyprus’ tourism offering while giving local manufacturers a new platform to showcase their products and heritage.