THE regional arm of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) in Dubai recently launched an e-learning portal www.agentslovecyprus.com to further popularise the island as a leisure and incentive destination among travel agents and DMCs in the region. Attractively showcasing the island’s scenic beauty and golden beaches in a collection of stunning photographs, the portal is a vast source of useful information for those interested in building packages for Cyprus. The site includes handy tips, brochures, details of important towns, beaches, archaeological sites, trekking routes as well as a comprehensive outline of the island’s history and culture over the years.
“Cyprus is an easy to get to, hassle-free and safe destination for Middle Eastern travellers looking for leisure trips or time away with the family,” said Vassilis Theocharides, director, Cyprus Tourism Organisation Middle East and Arabian Gulf Office. “The portal is designed to further popularise the destination among travel agents and tour operators in the region and increase awareness about the country’s inherent benefits and convenient location for travellers in the Gulf and Arab regions,” he added.
Well-connected by regional airlines, Cyprus, which is within three-hours flying time from most Arab cities, has been figuring increasingly on the regional traveller’s preferred destination list. The largest number of visitors to the Mediterranean paradise from the region came from the Lebanon followed by the UAE.
Cyprus’ famous world-acclaimed beaches, intriguing cultural artefacts and historical sites, the stunningly beautiful scenery of the Troodos Mountains, combined with great food and music are what make the island nation so irresistible to tourists from around the region.
Expecting record revenues from tourism this year, the CTO is looking to a highly-successful winter season, with most hotels and resorts reporting sell-outs already.
As Cyprus is proving such a popular destination with its regional counterparts, coupled with a strong increase in tourist arrivals to Cyprus from the UAE over the past five years, CTO has opened a new visa-processing centre in Dubai to facilitate tourists and fast track visa processing.