Limassol emerges as gateway for cruises and conference tourism

Cyprus continues to project a positive image as a tourism destination, but “constant vigilance” remains necessary given the geopolitical volatility in the wider region, the general director of the Cyprus Hotel Association (Pasyxe), Christos Angelides, said.

Speaking to Entrepreneurial Limassol, a periodical published by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), Angelides said Cyprus’ security, hospitality, natural wealth and cultural heritage are “excellent tools” that allow the country to offer “high-quality experiences” to a broad range of visitors.

Against this setting, he described 2024 as “a landmark year” for Cypriot tourism, with arrivals exceeding four million and tourism revenues recording a historic high.

At the same time, Angelides cautioned that “arrivals do not necessarily translate into hotel reservations”, noting that part of the visitor flow is directed to unlicensed accommodation or to the occupied areas.

Within this context, Angelides said thematic tourism “is a strategic priority” for Cyprus and is promoted through cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, local authorities and the private sector.

He added that hoteliers also play an active role by hosting journalists from specialised publications and participating in targeted exhibitions and conferences abroad, focusing on weddings, conferences, agrotourism and sports tourism.

In parallel, Pasyxe, he said, works “in a targeted manner” to strengthen conference, sports, gastronomic, medical, wellness and nature-based tourism, while encouraging the continuous upgrading of infrastructure by both its members and the state.

“We are constantly working to upgrade the visibility of our country as a tourist destination in targeted markets,” Angelides said, adding that “the development of these forms of tourism also serves the goal of year-round tourism”.

Angelides said Cyprus has “clear comparative advantages” across several segments. Conference tourism benefits from “safety, climate and infrastructure”, while gastronomy draws on “authenticity, local products and cultural background”.

Medical and wellness tourism, he said, is supported by “a high level of services and facilities within hotel units”, while nature tourism stands out due to “unique nature and easy accessibility”.

At the same time, he said cooperation between hotels, cultural institutions and local communities “is strengthened year after year”, through festivals and events, the integration of local products in hotel units, guided tours to villages, wineries and archaeological sites, as well as the promotion of cultural and thematic routes through hotel communication channels.

Taken together, these initiatives, Angelides said, contribute to “a more comprehensive image of Cyprus as an attractive destination”.

Modern visitors, he noted, increasingly seek authenticity. Cypriot cuisine and cultural tradition, Angelides said, offer “uniqueness and emotional connection”, enhancing the overall experience and adding value to the destination.

As a result, “the integration of local gastronomy into the tourism product can and should be highlighted as a competitive advantage”.

Sustainability, Angelides added, “is now a fundamental criterion for competitiveness”.

In this direction, he said hotel units have invested in renewable energy sources, energy-saving technologies, international certifications and staff training, while also implementing recycling and rational resource management practices.

Turning to Limassol, Angelides said the city has followed “a dynamic course” in recent years, evolving into “a complex and growing tourist centre”.

Conference tourism, he said, presents “particular prospects”, supported by the city’s business profile, the presence of international companies and modern infrastructure.

At the same time, Angelides said the gastronomic and wine experience in the province’s countryside, including the wine villages and the Commandaria’s routes, “significantly enhances thematic tourism”.

Nature-based and sightseeing tourism also show prospects, while Limassol is “emerging as a key gateway for cruises”, with its port serving as an important stop for thousands of visitors annually.

Within this broader framework, Limassol’s hotel businesses, Angelides said, are “an integral part” of the region’s tourism potential, investing in high-quality infrastructure and cooperating with institutions such as Evel, municipalities and the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC).

Through cultural festivals, wine events and major conferences, he said hotels enhance the visitor experience and “upgrade Limassol’s reputation as a four-season destination”.

Their contribution to shaping Limassol’s identity as a high-end destination, Angelides concluded, “is decisive”.