Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus has approved a new National Tourism Strategy to 2035 targeting 5 million visitors while upgrading quality and ensuring development respects sustainable principles, Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis said after a cabinet meeting.
Strategy timeline and alignment
Koumis said the plan updates the National Tourism Strategy 2030 adopted in 2020 so it aligns with the country’s long-term economic development vision. He said the new strategy covers the period until 2035 to be consistent with the purpose and time limit for achieving the 2035 vision.
Core objectives
The strategy’s core objectives include improving the tourism product, promoting sustainable growth, transforming Cyprus into a digitally smart destination and reducing seasonality so the island gradually becomes a year-round destination.
Emphasis on sustainability and infrastructure
Koumis said that compared with the previous plan, the strategy places particular emphasis on sustainable tourism development, the green transition, digital transformation and infrastructure upgrades, especially accessibility infrastructure.
Implementation and visitor distribution
He said the deputy ministry is proceeding immediately with action plans to implement the targets. Koumis said the visitor objective concerns distribution as much as volume, aiming to reach 5 million visitors by 2035 while distributing them differently across regions and periods of the year.
Market diversification
Koumis said the strategy also focuses on broader market diversification, aiming for greater dispersion among all sources of tourism. He said this has largely been achieved over the past three years, reflected in the rise of many markets.
New markets and connectivity
Cyprus recently entered the Kazakhstan market and currently attracts tourists from more than 40 countries with direct air links.
How do you think Cyprus can balance a higher visitor target with sustainable development and year-round tourism?
