Filenews 24 May 2022 - by Pambos Charalambous
With most countries having withdrawn the strict restrictions they had imposed due to coronavirus, Cypriots' intention to vacation is returning to pre-pandemic rhythms. On the one hand, domestic tourism, which will be supported again this year by the extraordinary government aid plan, and on the other hand, travel abroad, which is expected to move close to the 2019 level
Accommodation in hotels and tourist accommodation for all tastes and for every financial possibility will be offered this year by Cyprus, with hotels being prepared to provide the best services, as they have been doing for decades, contributing on their part to the development of the Cypriot economy and the prosperity of the country.
The emergence of the pandemic was a good reason to remind us of the level of service offered by our hotels, since in the last two years the number of our compatriots who chose to stay in Cyprus for their holidays has increased significantly. The response to the call for domestic tourism is expected to continue this year, due to the Emergency Plan for the Enhancement of Domestic Tourism, which is already in force.
COMPETITIVENESS
According to the General Hotel Satisfaction Index (GRI) and regarding 2019 results, i.e. before the pandemic, which were for July, the competitive level of the Cypriot hotel product recorded GRI at 85.7%. It is noted that, indicators above 80% indicate a positive experience. The index, which is calculated by ReviewPro, a company that specializes in measuring the online reputation of hotels, is calculated for each hotel through an analysis of the variables associated with customer feedback posts on social media platforms, hotel commenting websites and OTAs (online travel agents ) websites.
CLASSIFICATION
Cyprus had recorded the second highest performance, behind only Greece (87.7%) while behind our country were Croatia (85.3%), Spain (85%), Italy (84.5%), Turkey (82.6%) and France (78.8%). For the calculation, hotel data from all the above countries were analyzed. It is noted that this indicator evaluates hotels based on individual criteria, such as location, service, value for money, cleanliness, food-drink and entertainment.
FIVE STARS
With the Special Plan for the Support of Domestic Tourism (which came into force in May and will last at least until the end of July) and due to the fact that the ceiling this year was set at €100 (with the subsidy of €20), the largest amount that a couple can pay for an overnight stay, with breakfast, even in many five-star hotels is €80 (€40 per person), the general manager of the Pancyprian Hoteliers Association (PASYXE), Filokypros Rousounidis, told Insider. It is noted that in 2021 the ceiling was set much lower - at €60 euros.
The plan gave huge flexibility to the hotel units, according to Mr. Rousounidis, hence the contracting hotels and tourist accommodations have reached a record number, namely almost 200. A number that is more than enough to meet any demand for domestic tourism.
PRICES
"In the last two years, the number of our compatriots who are vacationing on our island has increased. I think it was a first-class opportunity to see that they can put our island in the frame of their holidays, beyond abroad, or at least a part of their holidays to spend it in Cyprus, because we also have quality tourist accommodation and good prices available", Mr. Rousounidis told us.
As far as the prices of the packages are concerned, the general manager of PASYXE believes that they will move to reasonable levels, in an effort of hoteliers to attract domestic tourism. This is despite the increased energy costs and the huge inflation that affects the industry in Cyprus, but also the rest of Europe.
Compared to 2019, Mr. Rousounidis predicts that domestic tourism will probably increase. At the same time, he notes that this year, due to the relaxations of the measures against the pandemic, many people will choose to travel abroad and the number may be lower than in 2020 and 2021.
ABROAD
For his part, the executive chairman of Top Kinisis Travel and honorary president of the Association of Cyprus Travel Agents, Akis Kelepesis, referring to the holiday packages for abroad, told Insider that these concern countries around the world, noting, however, that some countries, such as Japan and China, remain closed or maintain strict health protocols due to the pandemic. The main packages, for which reservations have already begun, concern European countries and especially Greece.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Package prices compared to 2019 are around 3-4% more expensive, as mentioned. This is an increase that is lower than inflation in Cyprus, since tour operators made their reservations for the airline seats at the end of 2021.
Asked about the destinations that can be considered as value for money, Mr. Kelepesis dwelt on European destinations and those of Central America, bringing as an example holiday packages, for five to six days, in Central Europe or on Greek islands that cost close to €600.
This year, as he told us, most Cypriots will travel to Greece, followed in order by France, Italy, Austria, Spain and Serbia.
2019
This year's bookings are on the basis of 2019, i.e. at a pre-pandemic pace. Specifically, in 2019, approximately 1.5 million trips of Cypriots abroad were recorded, with Mr. Kelepesis estimating that, based on the current picture and unless some other extreme development occurs either with the pandemic or with the consequences of the war in Ukraine, this year's number will close at 1.1 to 1.2 million - and this due to the tourist loss of the first three months of 2022.
From Insider magazine (May)
