CHRISTIANA IAKOVIDOU - PASYXE - NICOSIA IS AN INTEGRATED TOURIST DESTINATION - Filenews 25/10
For the establishment of Nicosia as an integrated tourist destination worth visiting and getting to know, PASYXE Nicosia is working intensively.
In an interview with Phileleftheros, the president of the District Committee of PASYXE Lefkosia, Christiana Iakovidou, analyzed the special characteristics of the capital, which, combined with the investments made in infrastructure in recent years, can highlight the potential of the capital as a tourist destination.
Particular emphasis is placed on attracting business and conference tourism, while Ms. Iakovidou also sees significant potential in sports tourism.
Despite the fact that we live in a country where tourism has always functioned as a pillar of economic development, the capital takes the smallest share from tourism. Can Nicosia become a tourist destination?
Nicosia has much more to offer as a destination than one might think. We recently conveyed this message to the Greek market, where we had the opportunity to participate in the event "Nicosia: Athens, we are waiting for you", presenting exactly the tourist potential of the capital.
Nicosia is a city with thousands of years of history, rich cultural heritage and authentic character, which is constantly evolving and developing. It combines history and tradition with modern life, offering quality accommodation options, excellent gastronomy, cultural experiences and entertainment.
At the same time, its geographical location allows the visitor to discover the Cypriot countryside. Above all, however, it has an element that has always characterized it and it is none other than authentic Cypriot hospitality. Our goal is to highlight this multidimensional identity and establish Nicosia as a destination worth visiting and getting to know. It is worth mentioning that the event that took place recently in Athens is part of the cooperation with ETAP Nicosia, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and other bodies. Such synergies are necessary to highlight the tourist identity of Nicosia even more effectively and to turn the interest of foreign markets into substantial tourist traffic.
In recent years, significant efforts have been made to upgrade the infrastructure in Nicosia. To what extent do these investments strengthen the competitiveness of the capital?
Nicosia's hotel industry has made significant strides in recent years. Today, the capital has 2,536 hotel beds, offering a product that has been substantially renewed, through significant investments by hoteliers. Existing units have been renovated and upgraded, new hotels have opened, while new investments are in the process of being implemented. The city now offers a wide range of options, from five-star luxury hotels with modern facilities and conference spaces, to smaller units and boutique hotels. Investments are not limited to infrastructure, but extend to the quality of services, technology and staff training, elements that enhance Nicosia's competitiveness and create better conditions for attracting new visitors.
What prospects do you see for the further development of business and conference tourism in Nicosia?;
Business and conference tourism are two of the most important pillars of development for Nicosia. As the administrative and business center of Cyprus, the capital consistently attracts business visitors, while it has modern hotel and conference infrastructure to host important events.
The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in the first half of 2026, was an important opportunity to showcase our potential in practice, hosting officials, diplomats and professionals from European countries. We want to use this experience to attract more international conferences and corporate events.
Apart from business tourism, what other forms of tourism do you think present significant growth prospects for the city?
Nicosia has significant potential for growth in different forms of tourism, which can attract new audiences and boost traffic throughout the year. One such sector is sports tourism, as the capital has suitable facilities, while the mild climate and sunshine create favourable conditions for hosting sports missions and sports events.
There is also significant potential in educational tourism. The presence of universities, colleges, and research centers creates a steady stream of visitors, from student families to academics and researchers. The operation of the branch of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens further strengthens this dynamic. At the same time, religious tourism presents significant prospects, especially from the Greek market, utilizing the rich religious and cultural heritage of the province.
The operation of the city break
Does Nicosia offer a so-called city break? How important is the Greek market for this effort?;
The Greek market is of particular importance to Nicosia, as its geographical proximity, close cultural ties and strong air connectivity create favourable conditions for short getaways. Nicosia offers everything a visitor is looking for for a city break. It has a historic center with a distinct identity, a rich gastronomic scene, entertainment options, cultural activities and upgraded hotel facilities.
Additionally, one significant advantage is its central location. The visitor can use Nicosia as a base and within less than an hour find himself in traditional villages, wineries, monasteries and other destinations in the Cypriot countryside.
How can Nicosia contribute to the efforts to transform Cyprus into a year-round tourist destination?
Nicosia has a particularly significant advantage. All its hotels without exception remain open 365 days a year. This means that the city already has the hotel infrastructure to welcome visitors in every season. The aim is to make even more use of this opportunity, promoting the different experiences offered by the city and strengthening forms of tourism that do not depend on the summer season.
Business and conference tourism, short leisure trips, sports, educational and religious tourism can make a substantial contribution in this direction.
Looking towards the coming years, what do you think is the biggest bet for Nicosia's tourism and what needs to be done so that the capital is not just a stop for a short visit?
The biggest bet is to be able to highlight Nicosia as an integrated tourist destination, which the visitor will consciously choose for his stay and not just for a short visit.
The possibilities are there. What is needed is to further strengthen Nicosia's visibility in international markets and to take advantage of the momentum that has already been created. The Greek market in particular can play a decisive role in this effort.
We aspire to turn interest in the capital into more visits and, above all, more overnight stays, throughout the year. Nicosia has a lot to offer and we want more and more visitors to have the opportunity to discover it.
