Cyprus tourism clean-up initiative to expand to Greece in 2026

Nicosia, Cyprus. A tourism-led environmental initiative launched in Cyprus will expand to Greece this year, bringing businesses and organisations from both countries together for a cross-border clean-up campaign on September 25, 2026.

The campaign, titled ‘Tourism Cares: Unite for Cleaner Destinations’, will take place ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27 and has been included in UN Tourism’s programme of events for 2026.

Cross-border activities

The initiative will bring together tourism workers, visitors, diving centres, local communities, environmental organisations and volunteers in Cyprus and Greece for clean-up and awareness activities.

Almost 100 tourism businesses and organisations from the two countries have already registered, according to the organisers.

Activities will take place at beaches, coastlines, seabeds, parks, forests and nature trails, focusing on reducing waste and encouraging more responsible choices within the tourism sector.

Focus on marine waste

Particular emphasis will be placed on underwater clean-ups, involving tourism businesses, diving centres, marine organisations and volunteers in efforts to address marine waste.

“If we share the same sea, we share the same responsibility,” the organisers said.

Awareness and behaviour

Organisers said the initiative aims to go beyond waste removal by raising awareness and encouraging changes in everyday behaviour among tourism workers, visitors and local communities.

Participants will be encouraged to reduce unnecessary waste, limit the use of single-use plastics and turn environmental awareness into everyday action.

The organisers said a clean destination could not be created through a single clean-up but required changes in habits and behaviour.