On February 5th, the HOTHREAT project officially concluded with its Final Conference at the Conference and Sport Centre (CSK) in Łódź, Poland. After nearly three years of collaboration, research, and practical development, the project leaves behind a strong legacy: enhanced awareness, practical tools, and a strengthened European hospitality sector better prepared to face CBRN risks.
HOTHREAT brought together experts, policymakers, security professionals, and tourism stakeholders with a shared mission — to improve prevention, preparedness, and response capacity against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats within the HoReCa sector.
Why HOTHREAT Matters
Tourism and hospitality are built on trust, safety, and resilience. While CBRN incidents are rare, their potential impact on public health, visitor confidence, and destination reputation can be significant.
The HoReCa sector — hotels, restaurants, catering services — represents spaces with high visitor flow, international exposure, and complex operational environments. This makes preparedness not only a security priority but also a strategic necessity for sustainable tourism development.
HOTHREAT addressed this gap by:
- Increasing awareness of CBRN risks in hospitality environments
- Developing tailored training materials for sector professionals
- Creating practical prevention and response tools
- Strengthening cooperation between public authorities and tourism stakeholders
- Assessing the European HoReCa sector’s preparedness level
More information and access to project outputs can be found at the official website: https://hothreat.eu/
The Final Conference in Łódź
The Final Conference presented the project’s key results and opened discussions on the future of CBRN preparedness in tourism.
The programme included:
- Introduction to CBRN risks and presentation of HOTHREAT results
- Panel discussions combining expert insight with practical prevention and response elements
- Presentation on the level of European HoReCa CBRN awareness and preparedness
Key speakers included:
- Dominik Borek, PhD – Director of the Tourism Department, Ministry of Sport and Tourism
- Peter Sparks, QPM – Police CBRN/EOD Investigator & Tactical Commander
- Wiktor Wojtas – Policy Analyst at the European Commission
Their contributions reinforced the importance of proactive preparedness and cross-sector cooperation at both national and European levels.
Why HOTHREAT Is Important for Nicosia
As the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia is a growing urban tourism destination hosting international visitors, business travelers, diplomatic missions, cultural events, and conferences. The hospitality sector plays a central role in the city’s economic and social vitality.
For Nicosia:
- Preparedness strengthens destination resilience
- Awareness enhances risk prevention capabilities within hotels and restaurants
- Coordinated response planning supports public safety and visitor confidence
- Knowledge dissemination builds a culture of security within the local tourism ecosystem
In an increasingly interconnected world, local resilience contributes directly to European resilience. Ensuring that Nicosia’s hospitality sector is informed, trained, and prepared is part of safeguarding both our community and our visitors.
Nicosia Tourism Board: From Participation to Implementation
The ΕΤΑΠ Λευκωσίας proudly participated in HOTHREAT as an end-user partner.
Our role focused on:
- Providing practical, real-world tourism sector insights
- Validating the relevance and applicability of project outputs
- Ensuring alignment with local hospitality realities
- Preparing to disseminate and promote the developed tools within our region
Now that the project has concluded, our commitment continues. The Nicosia Tourism Board will actively share the project’s materials, guidance, and best practices with local stakeholders, contributing to a safer, more resilient hospitality environment.
A Stronger Foundation for the Future
The end of HOTHREAT is not simply the conclusion of a project — it is the beginning of a more structured and informed approach to CBRN preparedness within Europe’s tourism sector.
Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and proactive planning, destinations like Nicosia are better equipped to protect visitors, support businesses, and maintain trust in times of uncertainty.
We extend our sincere thanks to all partners, experts, and contributors who made this initiative possible.
HOTHREAT website: https://hothreat.eu/
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