Filenews 30 October 2024 - by Adamos Adamou
The high temperatures for the season are an important ally for the efforts to strengthen the tourist flow to the island during the winter season, which as everything seems to be expected under the circumstances to be better than last year.
This was stated yesterday by PASYXE President Thanos Michaelides, following assessments by Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis last Saturday on the positive prospects of winter tourism.
Specifically, speaking on state radio, Mr. Michaelides said that in October several hotels were full and that they will continue to be crowded in November, which "year after year is developing into a relatively good month compared to what we had in previous years", estimating that "we will be able to bring November very close to the summer season. if not in prices, at least in occupancy."
As he implied, this is because "people just learn that the weather in Cyprus is very good compared to Greece, for example, and they prefer to come to Cyprus because we have guaranteed sun for the period..."
Cyprus, according to the president of PASYXE, has a comparative advantage, which is the weather, compared to competitive destinations, saying that this is another reason why we should think twice or three times about strikes, referring to the warnings of the trade unions in the sector, on the occasion of the process for the renewal of the collective labor agreement in the hotel industry.
To avoid turmoil in the sector, Michaelides said that hoteliers are expected to meet with the Minister of Labour, who, as we are informed, continues his efforts to find an agreement.
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In general, for this year's course of tourism, PASYXE estimated that the performance of the tourism industry will be at the same as last year's good levels or slightly better, due to the enhanced current in the second half of the year, to which high temperatures also contribute.
High temperatures that Ryanair also used in mid-October to promote, through its social networks, its flights to five hot destinations, in which it recorded Cyprus third, after Spain and Malta.
Hermes Airports announced this fact yesterday through Flight Mode, its electronic newsletter, considering that the promotion of Cyprus through its communication channels by Ryanair is a recognition by the company of our country's potential for year-round tourism.
As mentioned, the positive prospects for winter tourism and for the whole year were also highlighted on Saturday by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, during his visit to Larnaka airport for the inauguration of the Cyprus Airways Flying Academy at Larnaka airport.
Asked specifically about the winter season, he said that "we have gained some weeks, the majority of tourist units in our country will remain open at least until mid-November."
"Personally, I don't remember so many units remaining open during this period," he added, acknowledging the contribution of the winter flight program in this direction, noting that this is excellent, although it has been "somewhat affected by the recent events in neighbouring Israel but in general it is in very good condition." He also expressed optimism for the new year as far as tourism is concerned, despite the challenges and the unsettled situation in our neighbourhood.
