- Visit the Cyprus Tourism Organisation stand (EM1120) to hear the latest developments from the groundbreaking partnership between the CTO, the Travel Foundation, and the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative
- Cyprus Tourism Organisation supports WTM World Responsible Tourism Day (Tuesday 6 November)
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation will be highlighting its sustainable tourism successes and plans for the destination at this year’s WTM. The tourist board will also be displaying its support for WTM World Responsible Tourism Day by carrying the logo on its stand.
The CTO’s commitment to the event reflects ongoing work in Cyprus to put responsible tourism at the top of the agenda. Representatives from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative, a Cypriot charity dedicated to sustainable tourism, will be available on the CTO’s stand (EM1120) at WTM over the four days to talk to delegates about some of the pioneering developments that have resulted from a long-standing partnership with the Travel Foundation and CSTI. In 2010, the Travel Foundation (Stand NA383) entered into a groundbreaking five-year agreement with the Cyprus Tourism Organization, and the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative – The Travel Foundation’s first destination partnership agreement.
Aiming to integrate sustainable principles into all aspects of tourism in Cyprus, the latest initiatives under the partnership include developing national sustainability minimum standards for accommodation providers on the island, which could become mandatory for businesses in the country with three years.
Along with several other projects, the partnership has this year been working on a multi stakeholder project entitled “Greening Cyprus Beaches” which has already been popular with both visitors and locals. Nissi Beach and Fig Tree Bay are the pioneers of a range of activities under the initiative including:
- Workshops for local residents, organisations and businesses,
- Beach clean ups with the support of local authorities, private companies and volunteer groups,
- Presentations to schools and much more.
As part of the project, both Nissi Beach and Fig Tree Bay have replaced some modern beach furniture with alternatives made from eco friendly materials, and clay ashtrays have also been introduced, which have been made by local craftsmen.
This year the partnership has also focused on Waste Management and is conducting an investigation into reducing solid waste from the tourism industry.
Annita Demetriadou, Director Tourism Strategy, Cyprus Tourism Organisation in Nicosia, said:
“Our ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism is in its early stages and we have a lot of work to do but our partnership with the Travel foundation and CSTI means that we have made a massive leap with regard to driving a number of initiatives forward. The support from UK tour operators, the hoteliers in Cyprus and the Cypriot people has laid the foundation for Cyprus to become a country internationally recognised for its excellence in sustainable tourism.”
Visit the Cyprus Tourism Organisation’s Stand (EM1120) at WTM to find out more information, or go to the CTO’s website: www.visitycyprus.com.
