The tourist sector’s positive performance in the last two years is not a reason for complacency, Kostas Koumis Deputy Minister for Tourism said, addressing an event hosted by the Deputy Ministry to mark the World Tourist Day, that was held in Eleftheria Square, Nicosia, on Friday.

“We need to redefine the role of tourism for the economy, entrepreneurship, the environment and the society,” he said.

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According to Koumis, the most significant challenge which acts as an existing threat to society as a whole, the economy and tourism is climate change.

“And for this reason, the Deputy Ministry has incorporated a special chapter on green transition in the updated National Strategy for Tourism,” he added.

Referring to the performance of the sector this year, Koumis said that data show that in the period from January to August, arrivals increased by 4.1%, compared to the respective period last year, while they marginally increased compared with the same period of 2019, which was Cyprus’ historic record year in terms of tourist arrivals. Furthermore, he added that revenue from tourism in the first six months of the year were up by 4.2% year on year, despite the fact that 2024 is marked by many adversities.

However, Koumis pointed out that the course of tourism is not secure, as a series of challenges, with the greatest stemming from climate change, call for the need to take immediate measures.

“Each destination’s competitiveness is directly attached to the implementation of sustained and environmentally responsible policies, and this is a one-way street if we want our country’s tourist sector to be competitive,” the Deputy Ministry said.