THE ROUTES OF THE OLIVE TREE
The cultural route known as “The Olive Tree,” of the Council of Europe, is expanding into the Pafos region of Cyprus.
With the efforts of the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism (PRBT), the creation of the Olive Tree route in the Pafos district is currently underway.
This route is expected to integrate with a broader network connecting various European countries.
Recently, the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism hosted executives from the OTRoutes Network, who visited several locations throughout the district as part of a general evaluation process. Executives Ms. Katsilieri Kanella and Ms. Maria Polygeni expressed their complete satisfaction with the proposed sites and showed great enthusiasm for the destination.
The proposed route will cover all municipalities in the Paphos district, encompassing approximately 30 communities and spanning over 170 km. Travelers can explore the route in its entirety or in parts, depending on their interests. Points of interest along the route include not only sites related to the olive tree but also monasteries, churches, archaeological sites, museums, viewpoints, creative workshops, and more.
This tour primarily targets individual visitors who can travel by private car, motorbike, bicycle, rented minibus, or taxi, with partial options using public transport.
The involvement of the Pafos Tourism Board (PRBT) is expected to significantly promote attractions across almost the entire province.
Additionally, through the “Olive Tree” cultural route, PRBT aims to:
- Enhance the cultural value of the region and highlight another aspect of the destination’s offerings, primarily in the countryside.
- Gain recognition from an internationally accepted initiative, as the 'Olive Tree Routes' has been declared a 'Cultural Route of the Council of Europe' and a 'World Cultural Route of Intercultural Dialogue and Sustainable Development' by UNESCO.
- Increase publicity through various channels, including the website www.olivetreeroute.gr. - Engage in scientific activities such as seminars, workshops, and conferences.
- Foster collaborations with other partners to exchange best practices and explore opportunities for funding from international, national, or regional organizations for project implementation.
In the coming period, the final design of the route will be developed, applied to electronic maps, and integrated into the experiences offered by the Pafos destination, aiming for completion within the year.
