A communication in the works with airlines setting a proper base for air routes growth
The announcement that Ryanair opening in Paphos it's 50th base with 14 routes, is a symptom that coordination at the highest government level is coming to fruition. A process led by the Hermes Airports and the ministry of Communication and Works is pushing ahead with it's plan to structure and consolidate access to Olso, Stockholm, Rome, Milan and London. Strategically resolving issues of access, Ryanair leads with the way on proposing alternatives to beat the recession offering a great vote of confidence in the potential of both the airports in Cyprus and potential regional development.
Today’s announcement by Ryanair will multiply by ten fold commitment in incoming capacity with 600,000 passengers per annum and sustain over 600 jobs. Over 80 flights will operate weekly as Ryanair invests over $140 million at Paphos Airport, as was quoted the Deputy Chief Executive Michael Cawley and confirmed by Managing directors at Hermes Airports this morning.
Wishing entrepreneurial Cyprus the best of successes for 2012 and the vital resources to going beyond the crossroads.
Forge ahead new paths, while caring for the most precious assets surrounding us in Culture and Biodiversity, Happy New Year 2012.
PASYDIXE, the Cyprus Hotel Managers Association, awards George Georgiades for his great contribution to hospitality in Cyprus.
Nicosia, 9th of December 2011 - Held in Nicosia, the 29th General Assembly the Association of the Cyprus Hotel Managers Association (Pasydixe) highlighted the longevity of Mr. Georgiades contributions to the industry with the 2011 award for Cyprus Tourism Personality of the year. Initiated at Amathus Hotel in Limassol, where he served for 20 consecutive years as the CEO, it is without exaggeration a cornerstone to his success but also a well deserved recognition of excellence in Cyprus hospitality up to this day.
Mr. Georgiades studied hotel and tourism sciences at the School of Glion, Switzerland and economics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and attended top level hotel management at Cornell University.
In 1982 he pioneered with other colleagues in establishing PASYDIXE by giving voice to business executives in the sector. He was the founding President of Hotel Managers association from 1982 until 1991. Rightly so, the Association have since declared him as Honorary President.
Today he leads consulting services at GMG & Associates, a Business and Management firm with numerous appointed positions as member of the Board of Directors of various public and private companies.
The sweet smell of success in Meetings and events from Cyprus has more than a rosy future
The networking opportunities that the Incentive Exhibition presents for the Cyprus Meetings industry looks very strong thanks to new developments and an energetic trade motivated to carry the weight of luring potential conferences and meeting planners.
More Soon - in the meantime enjoy more photos from the Eibtm Exhibition here at Naturally Cyprus
Cyprus Tourism Board and Commerce Ministry urged to step forward into reality while presiding Paphos Regional Tourism Board Meeting
It was at the general meeting of the regional tourism agency in Paphos, that Mr. Alecos Orountiotis and Minister Praxoulla Antoniadou played host to the diverging views on how the region of Paphos was going to sustain it's leading role as motor of tourism hospitality in Cyprus.
Ms Praxoulla elevated the contributions of the regional agency for its extensive work in the development and promotion of the tourism product of the region of Paphos, "it is a fact that it is a successful example of partnership between the public and the private sector, creates great expectations and promising for the future" as she pointed to the very satisfying results from collaborations with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Ministry.
In similar lines, Mr. Orountiotis heralded the work of the regional tourism agency, who shockingly, saw it as pivotal for converting Paphos into the Monte Carlo of Cyprus, yet only to remind that the budget of the CTO would limit the Cyprus Tourism Organisation's capacity for development and promotion in Paphos.
Judging by those concerned, it seems that automaton goodwill and confabulations will not prove enough to calm the anxious business community. The free advice published in the Inbusiness Opinion article, summarizes clearly the urgency by which officials should be addressing the immediate economic issues affecting the small and medium enterprises of Paphos.
Cyprus Minister of Commerce and industry, Mrs Antoniadou sees a focus on mutual benefits as a way to maintain Cyprus as a destination of choice.
Speaking at a dinner hosted by Cyprus Tourism Organisation in London, where she traveled on the occasion of the “World Travel Market”, Mrs Antoniadou said pointed to the resilience of the Cyprus Tourism industry and the reliability of its services as strengths that will enables us to look forward with optimism and care towards the UK.
As a source of loyal customers to treasure, she also noted that enhanced regional collaboration with countries of proximity, would make it possible to regain business momentum with an increase of opportunities in the Eastern Mediterranean. “With this awareness in mind, Cyprus places great importance both on sustaining its current markets and also on reaching out to new ones, not just in geographical terms but also in terms of interests and purpose” she said.
“I am certain that our long term relationship, combined with the enhanced long term prospects that the island presents, will bear in the consideration of policy decisions on the part of all of us here tonight, so that mutual benefits arise out of enhancing Cyprus as a destination of choice” Antoniadou wished.
As this was her first visit to London since taking on the reigns of the ministry, we do remark and welcome her good intentions, which may shed some light as to a more ambitious agenda than just pledging financial support for promotion in the industry.
More on the Original story published by Financial Mirror
The day we celebrate One World of Tourism through Linking Culture
On the 27th of September we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of World Tourism Day and this year it is quite special as we look to our neighboring Egypt as the star of this year's World Tourism Day theme, that of valuing Culture in Tourism as a way to promote conviviality and peaceful exchanges.
It is only by taking a closer, we come to realize that it is the absence of a unified "Egyptian Culture", which makes Egyptians form a multicultural society and such a fitting country to represent this year's theme. The different facets of modernity and western customs flirt with traditions, where religious practices are still deeply anchored in the everyday life, yet Egyptians from all social strata, religious beliefs, or ethnic origins share a remarkable attachment to important social values.
Tourism being such an important factor in contributing to social, economic and environmental well being, we would like to see this year's World Tourism day as one that contributes mostly to
world peace and understanding.
It is with special esteem towards Egypt, that we would like to see its people and culture further contributing to the world's cultural heritage in the years to come.
More About World Tourism Day 2011
The Egyptian city of Aswan will host the official 2011 World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations, which will include a High-Level Think Tank on this year’s theme, ‘Tourism – Linking Cultures’ (27 September 2011). Planned WTD activities in Aswan include a High-Level Think Tank on the 2011 theme, at which leading public and private tourism stakeholders, academia and the media will address the role of tourism in building understanding, respect and tolerance worldwide. See program
If you wanted to help Cyprus Tourism sector by holidaying locally, think again.
“In the first week of
August, 300,000 people take their holiday (in Cyprus) but there are only
around 80,000 licensed beds. Hotels operate at 100 per cent occupancy
and in practice many will operate without licenses.
It is thus widely known and tolerated, that unlicensed establishments with revoked permits for several years, are operating and will be doing so in spite of not conforming to CTO standards.
Asked to comment on the issue, CTO officer Kyriacos Kyriacou confirmed to Cyprus Mail that establishments that fail to comply with CTO standards can keep operating but doing so as a "private place".
Like many other illegally operating holiday places, the unlicensed complex continues to host British and Russian tourists – as well as members of the SEK and DOEK labor unions recognised internationally as documented by recent articles reported in Protaras.
The irony is that by offering such a terrible service, these 'private places' will continue to dodge the hotel legislation and CTO investigators.
Now, I am not a genius working at the CTO, but I have dealt with most of it's directors and can affirm that from a health perspective, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation headquarters in Nicosia is the not the most unhealthy working environment, so I'm at loss as to what it is that may be affecting people's judgement leading to stagnation.
If anything the events in mid-July may have taught us, it doesn't require someone to get hurt for us to take action. Although negative reputation may not affect how the CTO operates, customers needs are telling us otherwise.
The inconsequential experience of Aphrodite and that advertising which will follow you faithfully all the way to the bath room
Marketing genius says that free advertising is good, independent of it's placement or level of intimacy. It is renowned that Cyprus Tourism advertising wants to deliver on its premise of being in your heart, but traveling all the way to the bathroom maybe borderline to privacy issues, nevertheless, I have to admit, I have not had the privilege certain Glasgow football fans did have.
"Sink your toes into warm sand, feel the sun warming your skin as you look out on the sparkling blue Mediterranean sea. Nothing beats Cyprus for a beach holiday" - this is the published headline for sun and sea tourism to Cyprus, certainly a quite inviting copy, but next to the urinal image just published in the Cyprus Tourism Weekly, I too feel for a certain lack of consistency to the story being sold, let alone presentation of a degrading image, even if it's only as an afterthought.
Added to the headlines, as published in the New York Times Travel Section, which makes this somewhat official in regards to public opinion; stated the following, "In the northwest corner of Cyprus, on the edge of the Akamas Peninsula, is the worst tourist attraction I’ve seen this summer: the Baths of Aphrodite." an inconsequential experience of "bathing with Aphrodite".
Now we all know that the uniqueness of Cyprus for Tourism is being ignored, and while we're busy encroaching on the natural environment by building Marinas, Golf Courses, some still think that it's in these projects that the future of an enriched tourism product resides, somewhere between your trip to the bathroom and the bath's of Aphrodite.
Advertising in urinals for free, everything goes in advertising for Cyprus or not?
The ad in question ‘Love Cyprus’, conspicuously placed directly over the urinals in the Gents of a Glasgow football stadium, was spotted by one Cypriot and his son during a visit to the city. “It was not until the recent tragic events, and what with the government’s incompetence in handling the crisis, and the economic crisis, reminded me of the picture we took.” was quoted by the cyprus-mail, the irate reader who took the photo.
Only two blog posts ago, with the story of the New York Times, did we recognize the great work by Turkish Airlines in positioning its advertising in the correct context; today we have another story of the stark contrast.
We are not here to judge the particular deal made with an agency that probably served its client well by offering more potential exposure for the advertising euro. But we do find this as symptomatic of the complete disregard advertising policies of a marketing department for customer communication and interactivity. In this day and mobile photographic age, contextual placement for advertising, is a lesson that Google teaches you for free but still requires attention to detail, let alone creating inviting content for people to photograph and spread online. I could not imagine today, in the current circumstances, a more inadequate setting despite the great deal.
A zero tolerance pledge to illegal killing, and a
full and proactive role in fighting the serious threat to
biodiversity
A few months ago, Terra Cypria focused our attention on the opportunity cost of mis-managing natural assets. Today its in the context of the Berme Convention of the Council of Europe
Cyprus played host to the central european council body about the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats are highlighted in the context of illegal killings of birds.
Expressing its deep concern on the extent and negative trends of illegal taking and trading of birds in the European continent, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention is moving to coordinated action for a definitive European stance on " illegal killing of birds", an event that was held in Larnaca, Cyprus, on 6-8 July 2011.
Our natural assets are calling for urgent attention, tourism has a central role as a motivator - what is at stake here? Follow the presentation below.
The European Conference on Illegal Killing of Birds
An event organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the Game Fund of Cyprus (Ministry of Interior) gathered over 100 participants representing various stakeholders, including Contracting Parties and Observers to the Bern Convention, international organizations, national and local authorities, enforcement agencies, nature conservation NGOs including hunting associations, scientific and research bodies, tourism industry, police authorities and mass-media. The European Conference delivered the “Larnaca Declaration”, presented to the Press during a press conference, as well as a Draft Recommendation to be submitted to the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention for possible adoption at its 31st meeting (29 November – 2 December 2011).
More on the presentations: the Larnaca declaration
If there was to be any doubt about it, here you get the proof.
Social media never sleeps, which means opportunities abound to connect and I can't say that I'm too thrilled about this piece on the New York Times Travel section.
You see, it's inexplicable that not only we're not following closely enough potential advocates (The Times visiting Cyprus), but neither are we careful enough to be monitoring critical content and advertising placements. In this case, not only do we get a medium review that isn't used to the befit of the destination, but it also provides for a classy airline to freely associate itself with a destination (Larnaca) it doesn't fly to. Yesterday it was advertising in Barcelona's Nou Camp, today it's in the New York Times. Something that is becoming symptomatic.
Kalopanagiotis sweeps the Cyprus Eden Awards 2011 for Regeneration of physical environment
A timely honor for a project drafted 10 years ago and supported by a generation of people linked to the around the belief of people in the value of maintaining and renovating of the community in order to maintain heart of the village true to it's traditions and historical value.
The Kalopanagiotis proposal incorporates a set of valuable cultural heritage landmarks such as the Monastery of Agios Ioannou and the Byzantine Museum, yet sets its ambitious plans set in the future of the Setrachos river bed and the healing power of its waters known since time immemorial.
Restoring Kalopanagiotis to it's glorious past as a hydrotherapeutic center is the true challenge which the Eden awards will contribute with a renewed enthusiasm towards lifelong achievement. We wish them our most sincere congratulations and to the village of Fini as finalists.
About The Eden Awards 2011
The Commission together with the Member States and the Candidate Countries singled out a theme of excellence for 2011 as “Tourism and Regeneration of physical sites”.
It is proposed to reward those destinations
which have regenerated a physical site of their local heritage and
converted it into a tourism attraction to be used as a catalyst for
wider local regeneration.
Regeneration of a physical site includes any
project of reclamation, preservation, enhancement of a site in the
respect of the principles of sustainability. The physical sites could
for instance be industrial, transport infrastructures, agricultural,
military etc sites, associated for example with economic or cultural
traditional activities, local history or with war periods. For
instance the following projects could be considered: conversion of a
former gasometer into an exhibition centre, of a former factory into a
concert hall or of a war bunker into a museum; transformation of old
railways or other transport facilities in tourist paths or cultural
walks; organisation of small scale attractions into ancient mines,
lighthouses, historical factory buildings, sites of disaster, castles
and battlefields where tourists can experience ancient and traditional
ways of living; ancient prisons currently open to the public with
dedicated visitor centres etc.
More on the Eden Awards: European Destination of ExcelleNce
Photo Credit: Kalopanagiotis Website
So I erred - a public apology to colleagues for pursuing the wrong strategy of collaboration.
In
one of a kind personal blog post as editor, I wanted to share however
with my colleagues my learnings and recognition that I was in complete
error to think that (i) we had any type of relationship strongly
established to make collaboration happen (ii) we would be able to work
collaboratively in marketing to positively engage advocates and
stakeholders for the benefit of Cyprus Tourism and (iii) that the
digital training and subsequent digital marketing support would have
served our cause in any short term.
It is not unusual at times to come to terms with a sustained course of action only to realize even publicly, that for collaborations to happen successfully, there needs to be more than good intentions, legal frameworks and promised compensation.
For that and for no other reasons I apologize for having wasted their valuable time and investments due to this wrong thinking.
Nevertheless, in a world where it seems protecting oneself comes first, I
can share you this message that we will not be gloating with signs of
any defeat, despite hardships of unrealized objectives. This is perhaps
because our beliefs remain intact and that our cause may be more valid
today that it was three years ago. Thank you for the collaboration and
tonight, all I really can do, is really pay you back with love. Deep
felt regards to Petros, Maria and all our families, they know who they
are.
Video Credit: Short version of Jessie J -Price Tag - expressing adequately as to why sometimes we do the tings we do despite contrary logic.
Today' press conference highlighted the successful development and operation
of Larnaka and Pafos International Airports
Hermes Airports this year celebrates five successful years of developing and operating Larnaκa and Pafos International Airports, thus making a significant contribution to the modernization and upgrading of Cyprus’ aviation sector.
In collaboration with the government, and with a strong sense of commitment, Hermes Airports has succeeded in building the country’s two new international airports to the highest standards of comfort and safety, and making the Cypriot public feel justifiably proud of the country’s airports.
In the context of this five year celebration, on 21 June 2011 Hermes Airports held a press conference at the Hilton Cyprus in Nicosia during which there was an audiovisual presentation of the company’s progress to date, as well as the key milestones from the date the concession agreement for the operation of Cyprus’ international airports was signed until today.
In his speech, the CEO of Hermes Airports, Mr. Alfred van der Meer, paid tribute to the contribution that the two airports have made to the country and emphasized the joint effort made by all stakeholders to attract new airlines to Cyprus by providing commercial incentives.
The Chairman of the Board of Hermes Airports, Mr. Nicolas K. Shacolas, in his speech expressed his sincere thanks to the government and to the companies participating in the consortium, and stressed that the smooth and faultless operation of the two Cyprus airports has been achieved through their close co-operation.
The conference was also addressed by the Minister of Communications and Works, Mrs Erato Kozakou Markoullis.
Larnaka and Pafos International Airports are a testament to the successful cooperation between the public and private sectors in accomplishing an ambitious project of the utmost importance to our country.
The two Cyprus International Airports are ranked amongst the most sophisticated, technologically-advanced and safest airports in the world, whilst also providing comfortable and functional spaces and a wide range of shops and cafés. Proof of this is the distinction achieved by the airports through winning international awards.
The operation of the two airports makes a significant contribution to the development of tourism in Cyprus and to the strengthening of the Cyprus economy, whilst also offering employment opportunities to eight and a half thousand people. Pafos International Airport has the ability to serve over 2.7 million passengers annually, while Larnaka International Airport can serve over 7.5 million passengers a year.
The hugely successful creation of the new Larnaka and Pafos International Airports has been a landmark for the beginning of a new era in Cyprus aviation.
To mark the celebrations for Hermes Airports’ five-year anniversary, will also celebrate an official dinner to which distinguished guests from the country’s political and business communities were invited, as well as employees of the Company. During the course of the dinner, the Chairman of the Board of Hermes Airports, Mr Nicolas K. Shacolas sent across a heart felt message about his overall role in the creation and development of the new Cyprus airports. The new Chairmanship of the Company will be taken over by Mr. Iacovos Iacovou. By decision of the Board, Mr Shacolas will remain Honorary Company Chairman for life with the right to participate in Board Meetings.
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