CYPRUS TOURISM ADMINISTRATIVE AND TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION

The Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MECIT) is the central government body responsible for tourism at the highest level and its mission is the development of the Cyprus economy through continuous support of various sectors amongst which is the tourism sector. The mission is pursued through the formulation of the appropriate legal and administrative framework and the adoption of policies and targets which create the proper business environment for Cypriot Businesses in their effort to take advantage of the opportunities that arise in the market. Tourism administrative and policy issues are dealt with by the Ministry which has a secretariat especially for these matters.

The Executive body for the development of tourism in Cyprus is the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) which has a semi-governmental status. CTO was established and operates according to the provisions of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation Law 1969-2005 and related Regulations on Structure and Terms of employment, administration and finance. CTO is administered by a nine member Board of Directors directly appointed by the Council of Ministers. The Minister of MECIT, according to the Law with regards to the Ministerial monitoring, either chairs or monitors the meetings of the Board of Directors through his/her representative who is a civil servant.

The mission of the Organisation is to organise and promote tourism in the Republic of Cyprus by using all possibilities and resources available. It is structured in the Director General’s Office and four departments, with the following responsibilities:

(a) The Strategy Department: Surveys, research and studies, tourist development planning and coordination, sports, artistic and cultural events support, planning and execution of projects of tourist infrastructure and especially special interest / thematic tourist products, agro tourism, EU tourism policy and other affairs, designing tourism programme and managing funded projects especially from EU Structural Funds, coordination of tourism issues as part of EU policies e.g. the Lisbon strategy.

(b) The Marketing Department: Implementation of an integrated communication strategy , advertising, above and below the line marketing activities including advertising campaigns, public relations, hospitality, publications, international tourism agreements, tourist guidesschool, international organisation, organisation and supervision of tourist information offices, production of films and other means of promotion, organisation of seminars and conferences, participation in tourist exhibitions.

(c) The Quality Assurance Department : Preparation and implementation of legislation regarding hotels and other tourist accommodations, restaurants and recreational centres, tourist and travel agencies and tourist guides, inspection of tourist enterprises, licensing for the operation of tourist enterprises, consideration of applications for the construction of new hotel units, restaurants and recreation centres.

(d) The Administration, Accounts/Financial Services and Registry Department which has a supportive and horizontal role dealing with issues of general administration, collective agreements, procurement procedure, budgeting etc.

CTO, apart of the Head Office which is based in Nicosia, operates overall fifteen offices overseas, as well as local and regional offices and the Larnaca Marina. Six Inspectors’ Offices which cover the six major regions of Cyprus, monitor the standards and services offered by the hotel and catering establishments and operate under the responsibility of the Quality and Assurance Department.

The Marketing Department consists of:

(i) Fifteen Overseas Regional Offices which promote Cyprus as a tourist destination through marketing activities and

(ii) Thirteen Local Tourist Information Offices.

According to the existing legislation governing hotels and tourist accommodation establishments, as well as the respective legislation for Catering and Entertainment Establishments, two Committees, namely the “Hotels Committee” and the “Catering Establishments Committee”, are being appointed by the Minister of MECIT. Both Committees are chaired by the Chairman of CTO Board of Directors and their members include representatives of relevant public sector services, as well as representatives of the Associations and Federations of hotel and catering establishments’ owners and operators. The Committees examine matters relating to the initial classification of new units – hotels and restaurants, reclassification of existing ones, approval of architectural plans and applications for the establishment of accommodation units in traditional houses (agro tourism), extensions/ renovations, improvements of existing hotel and catering units and other related matters.

The Private tourism sector is mainly organised through Associations which voice their views and demands and are the contact to national authorities. The exchange of ideas and opinions on various issues which concern national tourism is achieved through regular and ad hoc meetings, between CTO and these associations/agencies, a few of which are: The Cyprus Hoteliers Association, Association of Cyprus Tourist enterprises, the Hotel Managers association, the Tourist Guides association, the Restaurant Owners, the Agrotourism company, Cyprus Health Services Promotion Board, Special Interest Tourism association and Conference, Incentives, Meetings Association. The same approach is followed for the dialogue with the Trade Unions, local authorities, NGOs etc.

Moreover CTO takes the initiative and organises Public consultation meetings both for strategic issues as well as for matters, such as changes in the legislative framework affecting tourism businesses, new product development, incentive schemes for the tourism industry etc.

Following an initiative by CTO, stakeholders, such as local authorities, hoteliers, restaurateurs, regional chambers of commerce, and others, from each of the regions of Lefkosia, Lemesos, Larnaka, Pafos, Ammochostos and the Mountain Resorts, have formed Regional Tourism Development and Promotion Companies (RTDPC), which are non-profit making bodies. These Companies are responsible for the drafting, promotion and implementation and monitoring of regional tourism strategies under the directions of the National Tourism Strategy. They are being supported, administratively and financially, by CTO.