The Famagusta regional tourism board (Etap) recently held a meeting with representatives of EasyJet Holidays, the holiday division of the low-cost airline, it was announced on Monday.

The meeting, which took place last week, focused on initiatives aimed at extending the tourism season in the Famagusta region, with plans to implement these efforts starting in 2025.

According to Etap, the meeting was attended by board president and Ayia Napa mayor Christos Zannetou, Paralimni-Deryneia mayor Giorgos Nikolettos, and Famagusta hoteliers association (Pasyxe) president Panayiotis Constantinou.

“During the meeting, Etap Famagusta and EasyJet Holidays conducted a thorough review of the past season and exchanged ideas for the continuation of the tourist season,” the statement said.

Moreover, the primary focus of the meeting was “the coordinated efforts of local stakeholders to address seasonality“, which has long posed challenges for the Famagusta region.

The discussion centred on ways to gradually extend the tourism season and reduce reliance on peak summer months.

Photo during Etap Famagusta’s event

“Both sides agreed to maintain an open channel of communication and discussion on this issue, aiming to identify the methods that will lead to achieving this goal,” the statement added.

As part of the meeting, Etap Famagusta, alongside the municipalities of Ayia Napa and Paralimni-Deryneia and the Famagusta hoteliers association, awarded EasyJet Holidays’ chief commercial officer, Paul Bixby, the honorary title of ‘distinguished friend and supporter of the Famagusta region’.

This newly established recognition, the board said, “highlights significant contributions to promoting the region’s tourism product”.

“The award reflects appreciation for EasyJet Holidays’ long-standing support and efforts to attract visitors to the area,” the board explained.

During the ceremony, Zannetou expressed his gratitude to Bixby and EasyJet Holidays.

“We deeply appreciate their steady support in promoting Famagusta and hope to strengthen this cooperation further,” the Ayia Napa mayor said.

“The gradual extension of the tourism season requires coordinated efforts and contributions from all stakeholders,” he added.

In addition, he also spoke about the region’s potential as a year-round destination.

“Famagusta offers a wide range of experiences throughout the year, from the coastlines of Ayia Napa and Protaras to the inland attractions,” Zannetou stated.

Paralimni-Deryneia mayor Nikolettos also extended his thanks to EasyJet Holidays, stressing the importance of further collaboration.

He also underlined the need to “enhance the area’s infrastructure and develop specialised forms of tourism to meet visitors’ year-round expectations“.

Furthermore, Famagusta hoteliers association president Constantinou underlined the unity among stakeholders in recognising the importance of extending the tourism season.

He also said that the Deputy Ministry of Tourism has a critical role to play, alongside the “contributions of companies like EasyJet Holidays”.

The meeting concluded with a “shared commitment to sustained collaboration and efforts to address seasonality” in the Famagusta region.