Nicosia, Cyprus. The Nicosia Tourism Board is exploring plans to develop industrial tourism in Cyprus by opening working production facilities and other industrial sites to visitors. The initiative would allow tourists to see how local products are made and learn about the island’s industrial heritage.
Planned visitor experiences
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Nicosia Tourism Board officer Sotiris Christoforou said industrial tourism is already established in several European countries, where active industrial sites and historical production facilities have become attractions.
He said the approach could help create authentic experiences linked to the country’s history and also provide educational value by exposing young people to different professions and industries.
Sectors under consideration
Christoforou said that although Cyprus does not have heavy industry, it has several sectors with tourism potential, particularly food production.
Ideas under consideration include guided visits to halloumi production facilities, food manufacturers, wineries, dairy plants and businesses involved in ice cream production.
He said Cyprus has three major ice cream manufacturers — Papafilippou, Heracles and Regis — with histories dating back to the 1950s.
Additional sites and requirements
Other sites identified as having potential include mines, quarries and the Troodos Unesco Global Geopark, which received global geopark status in 2015 because of its geological significance.
Christoforou said that before industrial facilities can be opened to visitors, issues including health and safety, visitor management and the certification of specialised guides must be addressed.
The aim is to create organised visitor routes that allow people to experience industrial sites without disrupting production or compromising safety.