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Tourism Sector Boosted With €10 Million Budget Increase

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 3, 2024

In a significant move to bolster its tourism sector, President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus has announced a €10 million increase in the 2025 budget for the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. This announcement was made at the General Assembly of the Cyprus Hotel Association (CHA), along with the unveiling of a comprehensive five-year plan aimed at addressing seasonality within the tourism industry.

Strategic Objectives and Economic Resilience

The budget increase aims to enhance Cyprus’ international promotion efforts, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the tourism sector amidst various geopolitical and economic challenges. These challenges include instability in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, economic downturns in key European markets, and ongoing issues in the aviation sector.

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President Christodoulides highlighted the resilience of the Cypriot hotel industry and assured that the government is closely monitoring these developments to support stakeholders effectively. A key aspect of the five-year plan is the training of workers in partially or fully suspended hotel units, aimed at increasing the number of hotels operating year-round. This initiative is expected to create stable employment opportunities and extend the tourist season, thus boosting overall industry profitability.

International Relations and Market Expansion

The President also pointed to the positive implications of establishing a Strategic Dialogue with the United States, positioning Cyprus among a select group of countries engaged in regular, structured cooperation with the US. This dialogue, which extends beyond energy and trade, promises to open new avenues for collaboration in tourism. The possibility of direct flights from the US to Cyprus was mentioned, indicating ongoing discussions to facilitate this development.

Furthermore, recent diplomatic initiatives, including the opening of a new mission in Kazakhstan and an upcoming mission in Armenia, are part of Cyprus’ strategy to diversify and expand its tourism markets. The President’s visit to Poland, a key tourism market for Cyprus, underscores these efforts.

Industry Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite these positive developments, CHA President Thanos Michaelides acknowledged the difficulties faced by the hotel industry in 2023, citing reduced profitability due to rising operational costs and high borrowing levels. Looking ahead, lower occupancy rates are anticipated in 2024, compounded by reduced flights and economic challenges in major tourism source markets.

Michaelides stressed the necessity for a clear roadmap to modernise Cyprus’ tourism offerings, ensuring the sector’s sustainability and competitiveness. The upcoming HORTEC conference in October 2025, hosted in Cyprus, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping future tourism policies in alignment with Cyprus’ EU Presidency.

Abu Dhabi Unveils Dh13-Billion Plan To Lead as the World’s First Fully AI-native Government by 2027

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 21, 2025

Abu Dhabi is setting ambitious goals for the future, announcing a Dh13-billion strategy that aims to make its government operations entirely powered by artificial intelligence (AI) by 2027. With this move, the emirate aspires to become the world’s first fully “AI-native” government, with automated processes and complete adoption of cloud computing technologies.

The Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027, led by the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE), is a transformative initiative to enhance public service delivery, optimize government functions, and drive sustainable economic growth. Along with technological advances, the strategy will create over 5,000 jobs, boosting the local economy and contributing more than Dh24 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP.

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The core objective of this initiative is to embed AI, cloud technologies, and data-driven insights into the very DNA of the government. “By incorporating these cutting-edge technologies, we will optimize our operations, improve public services, and ultimately support sustainable economic growth,” said Ahmed Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of DGE.

Key aspects of the strategy include the establishment of a unified digital enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform, which will improve government efficiency and streamline processes. As part of the “AI for All” program, the initiative will also focus on empowering citizens by training them in AI applications, ensuring a highly skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Moreover, the government is committed to implementing over 200 AI-driven solutions across various public services, ensuring that these innovations reach all facets of governmental operations. Alongside the technological advancements, comprehensive cybersecurity measures will be introduced, with new digital guidelines aimed at maintaining the highest standards of security.

This move is not only a strategic shift towards a fully digital government but also a bold step towards positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in the adoption of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in the public sector.