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Cyprus woos Gulf residents with short breaks

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The year round destination that sparkles with Mediterranean mythology and charm

CYPRUS, the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, is a popular tourist destination with more than 2.5 million tourists from all over the world visiting the island every year.

However, the global recession has had an unforeseen effect on the Mediterranean holiday island’s tourism market. The first six months of 2009 saw tourism arrivals in Cyprus plunge 11 per cent and tourism receipts fell by 17 per cent, signalling a tough year ahead for the country’s key sector. The country recorded 883,002 tourist arrivals compared to 989,851 over the same period last year.

Since its membership into the European Union in 2004, Cyprus has seen its economy flourish especially in the travel and tourism sector. With the recent launch of Etihad Airways flights to Larnaca, the country expects to see tourism arrivals from the UAE increase, primarily with the short weekend breaks. According to Vassilis Theocharides, director, Cyprus Tourism Organisation for Middle East and the Arabian Gulf, 'The packages produced by Etihad Holidays have proven to be very popular, especially among the expat community of Abu Dhabi. With Eid holidays approaching, we expect these deals to be very popular for Cyprus as we are a short-haul destination. Tourists can take advantage of these affordable packages to a destination only three hours from the capital.'

Etihad Airways has announced its MOU with Cyprus Airways which comes into effect in September enabling the airline to increase their presence and expansion in this market.

The MENA region currently accounts for only two per cent of the country’s annual tourism arrivals. Tourist arrivals from the region have been 882,988 year to date, with top visitor markets being Lebanon followed by the UAE, both countries showing strong year to year growth at 23 per cent and 36.4 per cent respectively.

'We will have to face some stiff competition this year as travellers from the region have the option of enjoying weekend packages in their country of residence. However, I believe short breaks to nearby destinations will become popular among residents than it was in 2008, and Cyprus has a wonderful product to offer,' said Theocharides.

'Our strategy is two fold. With regards to trade we continuously train our colleagues and chose to carry out joint targeted campaigns and as for the public, we rely on our aggressive media campaign which will continue during the summer and winter months,' he added. 

The Cyprus government estimates that arrivals will be down 10 per cent in 2009. To help ease the crisis, the government is urging Cypriots to holiday at home by offering subsidised hotel stays for lower income groups. Cyprus, with its mild climate makes it an ideal all year round tourist destination. While its beaches offer a great getaway, there are a wide variety of other activities including hiking in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, shopping in Nicosia, discovering Larnaca and its ancient Roman architecture or visiting mountain villages sporting local wines and intricate lace work.

By Shalu Chandran

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