KEY POINT IS THE TRAINING OF TOURISM WORKERS - Filenews 28/2
Climate change may be the number one priority for tourism stakeholders, but the continuous training of employees in an industry that is constantly evolving is also a key point. Especially when it comes to workers from another country, who will have to assimilate at the same time, the values and culture in the destination where they work.
More specifically, yesterday Friday, the European Conference on Sustainable Tourism was held in Nicosia, at which, among others, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas (via video) and the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Costas Koumis, spoke.
In particular, Apostolos Tzitzikostas included the lack of skills among the six main challenges that tourism has to face in the near future. It is necessary, he noted, to fill the long-standing skills gaps. "Through initiatives such as large-scale skills partnerships for tourism, we are investing in upskilling and reskilling the workforce, equipping employees with digital skills and creating quality career paths that attract new people."
On the same issue, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Costas Koumis, referred to our country, noting that the large increase in tourist arrivals in Cyprus leads to the need to employ workers from third countries. However, he pointed out that it is the responsibility of employers to train these people in the values of the destination. Especially in the case of Cyprus, which as a destination, prioritizes hospitality as one of its main characteristics, it is important for this part to be assimilated by foreign workers, as a part of the culture of the destination in which they are employed.
In addition to the above, Apostolos Tzitzikostas said that the first ever European Strategy for Tourism, which will be presented in June, is based on four pillars: sustainability, competitiveness, resilience and digitalization. He pointed out that tourism is a strategic sector for Europe. "We remain the world's leading destination, welcoming 793 million international visitors in 2025, 4% more than in 2024."
Mr. Tzitzikostas made special reference to the islands as tourist destinations, noting that they deserve special attention in the context of the Tourism Strategy, as they face structural challenges, such as connectivity shortages, seasonal pressures, population aging and exposure to climate risks. However, he added that they are also "innovation laboratories" and can become pioneers in resilient, quality tourism. "And this is exactly what we want for Cyprus," he said.
