Deputy minister of tourism Savvas Perdios told TTG he was “proud” Cyprus had maintained the same entry protocols since April 2021, adding this would “stay unchanged”.
The eastern Mediterranean destination does not require any Covid tests for fully vaccinated travellers, while unvaccinated UK visitors have to take two PCR tests – but only face quarantine if they test positive.
“We will not be stopping people from flying,” said Perdios. “Cyprus remains open, and will remain open whatever happens with the Covid situation in Cyprus – or elsewhere.”
The Cypriot government is also continuing with its policy of paying the medical and quarantine hotel expenses, plus food and drink, for tourists who test positive for Covid while on the island.
Perdios said this initiative was being extended throughout 2022 as a way of reassuring tourists that they would be “looked after” if they catch Covid.
The UK is currently on Cyprus’ red list, which requires unvaccinated visitors to take a pre-departure test and another at the airport upon arrival in Cyprus, at a cost of €15.
Perdios, though, said this red status had not “deterred” British tourists, stressing the UK market had started to pick up from the end of August and had been “going very well” since then. He added Cyprus was likely to welcome around 400,000 UK arrivals in 2021, compared with 1.3 million in 2019.
“Our main priority is getting the UK as close as possible to 2019 figures in 2022," he said. "But this does not necessarily mean with the same product that was available in 2019."
He added that while there had been a “huge drop” between 2019 and 2021 arrival figures, data showed UK internet searches for Cyprus in September and October had surpassed levels recorded in 2019. “Looking forward, this increase in searches bodes well for the winter,” said Perdios.
Diverse attractions
Perdios is visiting London this week to meet with the travel trade to explain the new product Cyprus has been developing beyond its traditional “sun and sea” market over the past 18 months.
He said the country wanted to create a more diversified range of tourism products to appeal to different markets and age groups, which is being reflected in a new logo and branding for the destination.
This will also include creating new product “labels” covering activities, authentic experiences, gastronomy, wine routes, nature trails and rural tourism.
Perdios said Cyprus wanted to emerge from the pandemic “as a different destination”. It is looking to extend its traditional summer season to become a genuine year-round destination.
Three-quarters of tourists currently visit Cyprus during summer, and the government wants to change this balance so the proportion of winter visitors rises from 25% to 40% of the total by 2030.
One new initiative this winter will see five villages designated as Christmas villages for the first time. They will be decorated in festive lighting and offer an experience “similar to a Christmas market” from 10 December.
“We can finally become a year-round destination as we have products that are changing people’s perceptions,” explained Perdios. “We’re showing we’re a changed destination.”
Perdios added that during his UK trip, he would be talking to specialist operators as well as traditional mainstream beach holiday partners.
“We’ve not just been waiting for the pandemic to finish, we’ve changed what’s available as a product and service to be able to diversify our offer,” he said.
