As Europe’s tourism industries were decimated by the coronavirus pandemic, many countries are looking for ways to enhance them and make them more sustainable and resilient to future crises. Such has been the approach developed in countries that have largely summer-focused tourist industries – such as Croatia and Greece.
Cyprus, however, is also looking to broaden its horizons by attempting to shift away from the traditional maritime and sea resort industry into something that can be attractive throughout the entire year – namely its beautiful mountain ranges and many forests and green spaces.
Investing in sustainability and resilience
As announced by officials at the Cypriot Ministry of Tourism, the government will begin investing in improving the infrastructure at the country’s mountain ranges in order to improve and diversity its tourism arsenal. By making sure that there are plenty of viable and desirable alternatives to summer tourism, authorities want to popularize visits to different parts of the island which would, in turn, make the entire industry more resilient to external shocks and crises, similar to the pandemic.
According to the government’s plans, officials will be working closely with the forestry departments for the upgrades of numerous rest areas around Cyprus. Bike shelters will be erected at key locations while nature trails will be revamped and made better. Those slated for an upgrade are the ones in Madari, Chorteri, Kyparissia and Lazania, near Machairas Monastery.
The plans for these upgrades are a part of the government’s overall plans for boosting domestic tourism and providing viable visiting alternatives to prospective travellers. The short-term goals envisioned by authorities have a timetable for being completed by 2030 at the latest.
Source: TheMayor.EU