Filenews 28 July 2022 - by Adamos Adamou
Despite the rejection of the bill by the majority of the Parliament for the establishment of a framework for simple campsites and for glamping-type luxury camps, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism does not intend to abandon the effort.
According to information from "F", the intention of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism is to reinstate legislation on Glamping, as it believes that Cyprus should in turn offer this product, which is a popular trend abroad. Especially among millennials and those belonging to Generation Z, who are increasingly showing their interest in nature and the environment, as the Deputy Minister of Tourism had previously stated in our newspaper.
In view of this, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, according to the same information, is ready to hear proposals and changes to the legislation, taking into account the concerns developed in the Plenary Session of the Parliament. On June 30, when the bill for the institutionalization of Glamping was rejected by the majority of the Parliament, serious reservations and concerns about the impact of the changes on the environment and nature were expressed in the Plenary, with references to Akamas as well. It is worth mentioning the fact that in the final text of the bill, as formulated by the Trade Committee of the House, several changes were included, with the recommendation of MPs, to address environmental concerns, such as the addition of a provision "according to which glamping-type luxury camps will operate with a view to protecting the environment, flora and fauna of the area where they will operate and the faithful observance of the management plans of the areas of the "Nature 2000" network and other protected areas, which are issued under the provisions of the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Law and the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Law".
In addition, provision had been added for the obligation to install photovoltaic systems in the common and auxiliary spaces in all categories of tourist camps and in the luxury camps "Glamping", while the provision that provided for the fencing of a space with metal was removed, with the addition of provision for the possibility of natural fencing of the site while, however, reducing the minimum height of the fence of the site from 1.8 m to 1.2 m.
The main purpose of the bill that had been proposed was to amend the Law on the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, in order to modernize its provisions, which regulate the creation and operation of tourist camps, so that they are classified in classes, i.e. luxury, first class, B class and without class, in the same way as other categories of tourist accommodation.
POINT OF VIEW
They are also needed
If Cyprus really wants to diversify and become a year-round tourist destination, enriching its product is a one-way street. The sun and the sea are no longer enough. Package travel and packages are losing ground. In this context, Glamping is also needed. It is also necessary for existing campgrounds to be placed under a frame. As was found recently with the legislation passed by the Parliament on the operation of hostels. Everything is needed, but, of course, without discounts in terms of environmental protection.
