Cyprus tourism minister calls for ‘realistic and feasible’ climate change plans

Cypriot Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis took part in the ‘Mediterranean Tourism Forum Minister’s Summit’ this week, calling for pragmatism in the implementation of climate change plans in the tourism industry, while also outlining proposals related to the extension of the tourist season.

The discussion at the forum, which was held in Valletta, Malta, and concluded earlier this week, primarily focused on digital transformation and sustainable tourism development.

The summit was presided over by Malta’s Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo. It brought together Tourism Ministers and representatives of numerous Mediterranean countries, including Malta, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Libya, Italy, and Spain.

According to a statement from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Koumis emphasised the urgent need for climate change plans that are both realistic and feasible.

He also highlighted the significance of digital transformation and the green transition, while also proposing an extension of the tourist season.

The participants acknowledged the contribution of digital transformation to the growing tourism sector and stressed the necessity of collaboration to tackle challenges.

Regarding climate change, it was noted that a comprehensive plan requiring cooperation among all Mediterranean countries is essential.

They agreed that tourism development should align with sustainability principles, respecting environmental protection and responsible natural resource management.

Koumis underlined the need for immediate, collective, and coordinated action against climate change.

“We must develop comprehensive policies integrated into wider sustainable development strategies,” Koumis said.

“From this perspective, it is imperative to have climate change adaptation plans that are realistic and feasible,” he added.

He also noted that “promoting cooperation is crucial to our efforts”.

What is more, he explained that implementing policies that interlink tourism development with sustainability principles is now an urgent need.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister of Tourism proposed collaboration among Mediterranean countries, especially European ones, to extend the tourist season.

This initiative could positively contribute to preventing over-tourism during the summer period.

Koumis explained that expanding both the tourism season’s duration, as well as the offered capacity while the season is still open, would be viewed as indirect actions that can positively contribute to sustainable development.

During the conference, the Cypriot Deputy Minister also mentioned an EU initiative for the development of social tourism.

He proposed that based on income criteria, Europeans should have the opportunity to visit other European countries during low-demand periods or even Mediterranean countries outside the European continent as a second phase, in alignment with this direction.

It should be noted that the forum had more than 40 speakers as well as 1450 attendees from more than 28 countries. In addition, it saw the participation of 15 think tanks.

The ministry’s announcement concluded by saying that attendees at the discussion expressed their intention to support the proposal and showed a strong inclination for further talks on the matter.

Meanwhile, in his own address at the summit, Maltese Tourism Minister Bartolo said the Mediterranean is facing an unprecedented challenge, especially on climate change.

“The themes discussed during the summit lead to decisions so that the Mediterranean is sustainable and updated for modern times,” Bartolo said.

“Malta and the Mediterranean region have to be more innovative in the way we present present and future cultural traditions through technology,” he added.