Efforts must be made in order to increase further the number of tourists in Limassol during colder months.  

As a tourist destination that operates all year round, Limassol has hotels and businesses that remain largely open during the winter. At the same time, some hotels are currently upgrading and renovating different areas and facilities that will contribute positively both to the growth rate of Cyprus and to the efforts to upgrade the tourist numbers.

After participating in major tourism seminars, events abroad and continuously researching and being informed on the touristic sector, the Limassol Tourism and Development Corporation expects this year to have a record for tourism during winter, and thus create the best conditions for the promotion of this winter season.

"Limassol is ready to not only welcome tourists during the colder months, but to also provide them with an extraordinary experience and wonderful memories that will encourage others to want to visit it.’’ says the Director Of the Tourist Development and Viewing Corporation of Limassol, Maria Stylianou Michaelide.

Significant increase in visitors

Tourist numbers are on the rise, with the United Kingdom reaching a 10% rise for the first 6 months, Russia for 11% and Germany for 53%, while the Israeli and Lebanese markets are particularly interested.

The increasing interest in winter tourism, Limassol's ΕΤΑP has been running promotional campaigns for the Cypriot audience since autumn, aiming at attracting the Cypriot audience to visit during the weekends.

"Regarding the numbers of foreign tourists during the winter months, we are planning training sessions for tourist consultants in the UK and Russia, where through events, and presentations they will further promote winter holidays in Limassol, and will also set up an advertising campaign in partnership with Google," said Michaelide, adding that in association with major tourist agents in Britain, Russia and Germany, they will host tourist consultants and bloggers to further promote winter holidays in Limassol.

In addition to the promotional campaign, Limassol Tourist Development and Promotion Corporation is developing an application for the movement and tour of the visitor to the city, a tourist map in English and Russian with all the points of reference in the Limassol region, free electronic information to the public, support and organization of events during the autumn and winter season.

Concerns about non-licensees

Vice President of Tourism at EBEL's board of directors, Anthi Theocharous commented on the upward trends in the number of visitors to Limassol, the constant attraction of quality tourism, and the need to continue the efforts of the stakeholders to promote the country as a winter destination.  

However, at the same time, she expresses the strong concerns of the hotel industry for the large percentage of the increase in tourist arrivals from non-licensed accommodation. ‘’The hoteliers are taking the necessary steps to protect the tourism of Cyprus, and have had meetings with the relevant ministries, which have expressed their common concerns about the phenomenon. " Theocharous said.

New records are expected

Although this season was a breaking record for the Cypriot tourism industry, with Limassol still occupying about 10-12% of the arrivals, the rate of increase during the peak months (July-August) is lower than the increase which is expected to be recorded for the whole of 2017, which is estimated at around 15%.

Moreover, as the Tourism Vice-President of EBEL explains, despite the fact that the winter season shows increases in rates, in real numbers the tourist arrivals remain low.

As far as winter tourism is concerned, the outlook is positive compared to last year's season, with the German market still playing an important role and with the Germans continuing to choose Cyprus as a winter destination. 

Simultaneously, the emerging market for the winter months seems to be the United Arab Emirates. If this continues, the accessibility to Cyprus and the provision of additional flights with the contribution of travel agents in the coming months, means that the arrivals at Cyprus’ airports are expected to create a new record.