The Association of Large Investment Projects on Monday called for the creation of “integrated tourism projects” in Cyprus as a new category of construction, with the aim of expanding the range of tourist accommodation provided.

Such an expansion would “upgrade the experience of both domestic and international visitors” to the island’s tourism hotspots, and as such called for the term “integrated tourism projects” to be defined with specific criteria.

These criteria, it said, should include that any such project be a “high-level development” both functionally and aesthetically, and that it be self-contained and part of a unified plan.

Additionally, it said, it must have “absolute respect for the environment, with designated green areas”.

The association added that every such project must have two types of tourist accommodation and must have no fewer than 300 beds in total, as well as an “integrated service unit for specialised tourism”.

This unit must include “at least two enriching projects”, which can include sports facilities, health or wellness facilities, conference facilities, matters of traditional culture, or matters related to the environment.

It added that each project must have complementary leisure and entertainment facilities, with those facilities and the enrichment projects costing no less than €1 million.

Such projects would “have a decisive role for targeted and effective tourism in our country”, and will “significantly strengthen the domestic economy”, which will in turn “have a consequent positive impact on Cypriot society’s quality of life”.