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Integrated Development Strategy Sparks Unprecedented Tourism Surge In Akamas Villages

Coordinated Vision Transforms Regional Tourism

An initiative linking development and tourism projects across the villages of Akamas is expected to contribute to strong visitor numbers in the region this summer. Announced by President Nikos Christodoulides in early 2024 and implemented last year, the programme aims to strengthen tourism activity while increasing economic benefits for local communities.

A Shift Towards Community-Centric Tourism

Local officials report a growing number of visitors spending time within Akamas communities rather than limiting their visits to beaches and natural attractions. According to stakeholders, the trend is helping direct more tourism activity toward local businesses and community-based attractions across the peninsula.

Leadership Driving Local Prosperity

Speaking to local media, Akamas Deputy Mayor for the Ineia district Giagkos Tsivikos said the initiative was designed to increase the benefits of tourism for residents and businesses in the area. Recent projects completed in Ineia include the Aphrodite thematic route, the Turtles Museum and the renovation of the community centre. Part of the wider development programme, these projects aim to attract visitors while supporting local economic activity.

Long-Term Benefits And Community Empowerment

President Christodoulides has stated that the initiative seeks to address the underutilisation of local assets in Akamas compared with other regions of Cyprus. He noted that the area’s environmental and cultural significance extends beyond the local level and forms part of Cyprus’ broader tourism offering.

Tsivikos said the projects create new opportunities for regional development, adding that local communities play an important role in preserving the area’s natural environment and cultural heritage.

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

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