The aspirations and goals for Nicosia’s tourism were presented during the Annual General Assembly of the Nicosia Tourism Board, held yesterday at the Old Town Hall of Nicosia. The President of the Nicosia Tourism Board, Mr. Theodoros Kringou, highlighted the significance of tourism for the city’s social and economic development, emphasizing the need for additional initiatives by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism to strengthen Nicosia as a city-break destination. Nicosia, he noted, should be promoted as a meeting point where partners from three continents can collaborate and coexist peacefully.
Regarding the city’s business tourism, Mr. Kringou underlined that new developments in hotel infrastructure, including boutique hotels, along with the Municipality’s modern digital public infrastructure, enrich the city’s business appeal. He also mentioned that the Nicosia Tourism Board is studying relevant state plans, such as incentives for attracting digital nomads. Speaking about Nicosia’s recognition as the second-best European destination for Erasmus students in 2023, he characterized educational tourism as a key pillar of the capital’s tourism development and welcomed initiatives to attract foreign academic institutions to the city.
To enhance Nicosia’s cultural tourism, the Nicosia Tourism Board stressed the need for independent promotion with tailored content and targeted markets, supported by an adequate additional budget. The creation of a special interdepartmental committee, involving the Deputy Ministries of Tourism and Culture, the Department of Antiquities, and the Nicosia Tourism Board, was suggested to design and implement a strategic marketing plan for the upcoming new Cyprus Museum. Significant emphasis was placed on events, with the strategy of “Festivalization” noted as having a profound impact on tourism and the economic sustainability of major infrastructure projects. A significant challenge and opportunity for the Nicosia Tourism Board is the city’s upcoming designation as the European Capital of Culture 2030. Mr. Kringou urged all stakeholders to respond positively to this initiative.
The President highlighted the necessity of a new conference center to restore Nicosia’s position on the map of this specific tourism sector. The Nicosia Tourism Board is exploring several measures to enhance the city’s tourism offerings, including the installation of drinking water refueling stations, the creation of an innovative city photo point, the operation of golf cart-style electric vehicles in the commercial center to improve accessibility, and the development of digitized tour tools, among others.
Mr. Kringou outlined the Board’s vision for transforming Nicosia into a model of a modern, smart, accessible, high-quality, and vibrant city, with a focus on people, the environment, and culture. He emphasized the potential for Nicosia to become a benchmark of urban and rural tourism integration, offering a holistic experience while protecting the local community and environment.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Costas Koumis, echoed the emphasis on showcasing rural communities, particularly the Tamasos-Machairas and Kato Pyrgos Tyllirias regions, known for their unique characteristics that make them attractive for special forms of tourism. The Deputy Minister also highlighted the Ministry’s Grant Plan for Revitalizing rural, mountainous, and remote areas by creating authentic experiences. In its first phase, 80 local authorities and four private entities benefited, while the scheme’s reannouncement has attracted 180 local authorities and 13 private applicants.
During the assembly, Mr. Kringou received an award for the “Best Beverage Experience for Culinary Travelers” for 2024 from the World Food Travel Association, marking Nicosia as the first European capital to receive this certification. Additionally, the Culinary Capital 2024 certification was presented to Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos by Maria Athanasopoulou, Chairwoman of the World Food Travel Association. The initiative to prepare the nomination dossier was undertaken by the Nicosia Tourism Board as part of its broader campaign to highlight the city’s culinary experiences under the title Taste Nicosia.
For further details and the full speech of the President of the Nicosia Tourism Board, follow the link.
