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Echoes
Al Rais visits Cyprus
The CTO alongside "Outbound Travel" of Cyprus organized an educational visit for all the Al Rais Travel managers from the UAE in November - as you can see the weather was perfect.
Cyprus stand at the Jordan International Travel and Tourism Expo, July 2006
"TTN - Travel and Tourism News Middle East", August 2006
By Gina Coleman
"Health, religion top Cyprus' MICE agenda"
OVER 600 top companies and organisations hold conferences
in Cyprus every year.
Apart from MICE facilities at hotels across the island,
the Cyprus International Conference Centre in the capital
Nicosia (Lefkosia), is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose
venue equipped with the latest technological facilities
and flexible spaces to host meetings of various size, from
large scale conventions of 1,200 delegates to seminars,
receptions, exhibitions, banquets, fashion shows and product
launches. Facilities available include wireless projection
equipment, recording equipment, sound control booths, CCTV,
facilities for live TV and radio broadcasting, simultaneous
interpretation for 14 languages, satellite TV reception
and a projection room. Foyer services include banking and
travel facilities, post office, secretarial services, shops,
a VIP lounge and a cafeteria.
The Cyprus State Fairs Authority has the know-how that is
needed to guarantee the organisation and coordination of
successful local and international exhibitions, conferences
and other events. It has a Multipurpose Hall Complex situated
inside the International Fair Grounds in Lefkosia.
Because of the island's varied attractions, it is also popular
with companies designing incentive packages for their staff.
Water sports are an obvious option but Cyprus is also dramatically
increasing the number of golf courses.
$18 Billion Industry
Cyprus is to host several conferences over the next year,
including events on religious and health tourism. In collaboration
with the World Tourism Organization and the Church of Cyprus,
the Cyprus Tourism
Organisation is organising the first International Conference
on Religious Tourism (ICORET) 2006 in October this year,
to tap into an $18 billion industry. More information is
available at info@icoret.org.
The second Annual World Health Tourism Congress has been
scheduled from March 23 to 27 at the Le Meridien Limassol
Spa and Resort in Cyprus. The Congress is sponsored and
supported by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation as part of
its actions to develop and promote Health Tourism in Cyprus.
UAE-based Aura Events hosted the first congress in Wiesbaden
from May 27 to May 29, with 150 qualified corporate buyers.
The congress selectively targets corporate buyers - and
focuses on sales (instead of marketing and branding).
"Cyprus Delights" Excerpt from "Travel and Shop" magazine,
published in Dubai,
April-May 2006
Dr. S.M. Tahir, Editor-in-Chief of Travel and Shop, visited
Cyprus recently with a team of Dubai journalists. In the
article below he gives his impressions of Cyprus which he
found a most friendly and worth exploring destination.
The land of sublime beauty and great scenic variety, Cyprus
started unfolding its unique cultural assets as soon as
we arrived at the Larnaka International Airport.
The services at the terminal and visitor-friendly attitude
of officials are laudable, leaving a pleasant impression
of the country and the people. From Larnaka we were taken
to Lemesos for an overnight stay.
The next day dawned with an opportunity for us to explore
Cyprus closely.
Cyprus is the closest European destination from the Middle
East with increasing number of flights from Dubai and other
Gulf cities. There are fine white sandy beaches with shallow
turquoise waters, or deep water bays with rocky outcrops
perfect for snorkelling or diving. From the quiet backwaters
of the western peninsula to the lively resorts in the east,
the island has something for everyone.
Sunshine is practically guaranteed and not just in the summer.
Pine-clad mountains offer a complete scene-change after
golden sun-kissed beaches. Timeless villages are in striking
contrast to modern cosmopolitan towns; luxurious beachside
hotels can be exchanged for large areas of natural, unspoilt
countryside; yet in Cyprus all distances are easily manageable,
mostly on modern roads and highways.
Cyprus has now stepped up its campaign to woo tourists from
the Middle East and Gulf Region. At present, the country
was receiving 50.000 visitors from the Middle East, including
20.000 from the Gulf. The number of visitors from the UAE
alone stood at around 7.000.
Cyprus beckons Omani
tourists
Article in “Times of Oman” (http://www.timesofoman.com)
2nd February 2006
By Visvas Paul D. Karra
MUSCAT — The Cyprus Tourism Organisation, which has
set up a stall at the ongoing Oman Travel Market 2006,
has laid out a number of offers for Omani tourists who
would like to travel to Cyprus.
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation is one of the sponsors
for the three-day Oman Travel Market.
The Oman Travel Market, an initiative by Oman International
Trade & Exhibitions and organised under the auspices
of the Ministry of Tourism, will conclude today at the
Oman International Exhibition Centre, Seeb.
One of the reasons why Cyprus is making its mark here is
because of the importance it lays on the Omani tourism
market.
Cyprus attracts mostly European tourists more than triple
the size of its population, which is around 700,000. Tourists
from the AGCC countries are small in number and Cyprus
wants to change this scenario.
An interesting and attractive bait for Omanis would be
the fact that Cyprus promotes itself as an ideal destination
for honeymooners.
This Mediterranean island is an all-weather and all-year
destination. One of the uniqueness of Cyprus during the
winter months is that tourists can revel in both the sun
as well as snow.
On the sea front, there is the warm sun and beaches and
just 45 minutes drive away are the snow-capped mountains
beckoning you.
Around 400 Omani tourists visit Cyprus every year but the
number can be significantly increased, says Hrach Kalsahakian,
Sales and Marketing manager of Cyprus Tourism Organisation,
Middle East and Arabian Gulf Office.
“We have strong tourism characteristics and destinations in our country
to suit everyone’s tastes,” adds Kalsahakian.
According to Vassilis Theocharides, Director of Cyprus
Tourism Organisation, Middle East and Arabian Gulf Office,
Cyprus is a country of all seasons and tourists are welcome
all the year round with a warm and moderate climate.
Perhaps among the most famous events that happen in Cyprus
is the Rally Cyprus, in which star Omani rally driver Hamed
Al Wahaibi also takes part. Among other forms of tourism,
Cyprus also promotes athletic tourism besides offering
a variety of exotic themes to satisfy all kinds of tourists.
With over 10,000 years of history and civilisation and
being at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, Cyprus
is the place where you can discover the past and the present.
From the coastline, which offers sun and sand, to the Byzantine
history, Cyprus has stunning natural beauty, rich culture,
a warm people, and beautiful regions.
The Blue Falcon Travel and Commercial Company is the general
sales agent for Cyprus Airways in Oman.
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