Suggestions for Upgrading the Famagusta Tourist Area (2019)
Newspaper: CyprusHighlighs.com
Tourism Study
Our Cyprus has been for a decade now, Member of the great European family, while simultaneously experiencing both competition and the necessity to safeguard The quality of the services offered in the tourism sector. We are therefore called upon to address these new realities with determination, ready to make radical changes and improvements with the aim of fully concluding with the requirements of the European Community. The transactions and improvements that urgent and promote as a need, a collective effort to upgrading, on the one hand, the services offered, and the competitiveness of the tourist product of our island.
However, by living in the region and as an active citizen, I cannot remain indifferent, closing my eyes to the things that are wrong and absurd. I believe that my 35-year professional career in tourism matters gives me both the knowledge and the right to propose, Act and react. That is why I believe that all together, local authorities, local party committees, organized groups up to the last citizen must find the appropriate ways of communicating and through a Democratic Dialogue to solve the problems not only of tourism but of our society in general here in Famagusta Area
Tourism, my dear friends, is a very multidimensional product and unfortunately the sting in Famagusta area in the implementation of a sustainable development Strategy has led to a series of problems. The situation is very tragic, and the truth is hidden by some people. the growth rate and the lack of a strategy for sustainable development in the region will have a negative impact on the One in the competitiveness of the tourism product and on the other in local societies.
The PSC, unfortunately, did not have A vision for a sustainable Development of tourist. to solve the problems of tourism in the region so far . There is still no momentum but the necessary infrastructure for Innovative, green and alternative strategies that would improve the competitiveness and quality of the region's tourism product.
Suggestions for upgrading our tourism product
1 – Creation of an independent commission in the Famagusta Area
The Commission should be composed of representatives of all tourism organizations in the province with a view to planning the sustainable development of the region.
2 – Education and training of human resources
Continuous training is necessary even for people who are years in the profession. The market is evolving and human resources must evolve in the same way.
3 – Modernization of tourism enterprises
There must be pressure on the government/CTO to allocate funds through the budget for the 2014-20 programming period for the upgrading of the tourism product which is being aged
4 –Night Recreation Centers
Apply the legislation strictly. To start the tourism professionals to respect each other, only thus will improve the image to tourists.
5 – Recreational Center licenses
We are known as a people in Europe for good service and hospitality, these two great factors are a magnet for tourism. For this reason we should not escape from the frameworks of hospitality and good service and We face tourism as a source of easy profit.
6 – Tourist municipal police
A necessary measure that had to be made for years in the tourist areas. The aim would be to enforce order and to combat the obscenity of tourists.
7 –Lack of enough car parking space
It has resulted in the creation of many problems in the streets as challenge nuisance by motorists and motorcyclists with immediate discomfort to visitors.
8 –Deletion of public spaces for the service of tourists on the streets of the area, so that tourists can enter the various recreation centers or various building complexes. Also, the lack of Tourist beach with modern specifications (sidewalks, snack - bar), facilities for disabled people, elderly persons, etc.
9 – creation of new infrastructures (forms of alternative tourism)
The enrichment of the tourist product with alternative forms of tourism such as athletic, medical, cultural, gastronomic and agro-tourism is now considered to be imperative. These alternative forms of tourism will give new impetus to the region as a quality tourist destination as well as to the extent of the tourist Period and the easing of seasonality.
10 – Research findings
A. it Is not enough only to offer high quality material goods (excellent tourist facilities in wonderful locations), but the traditional Cypriot hospitality to Satisfy the customer-tourist.
B. We need quality service that is based on the expectations and perceptions of the customer-tourist and not on the expectations and perceptions of the entrepreneur, the management or the hotel clerk only.
C. It is necessary to have regular research conducted by specialized scientists on the quality of services offered in order to detect the gap between the expectations of holidaymakers and the offered Services.
D. The regular training of staff, at the beginning of the summer period, is now considered necessary in order to revise our respective views, based on the data and last year's surveys. At the same time, the new staff will be given the opportunity to educate themselves. The maximum expectations of the tourist unit from the outset.
E. sustainable development in the wider region of Famagusta Area will contribute to the improvement of the quality of the services offered, the environment, as well as the knowledge and skills of human resources.
I would like to Point out that the Sun, the sea and the hospitality (slowly eliminated) are not enough factors to satisfy the demands and needs of QUALITY TOURISM. The tourism that supported and revived the economy after the destruction suffered by our Cyprus by the Turkish invasion and occupation, and which contributed greatly to making our country a member of the European Union, Unfortunately, it is endangered by the phenomena of amateur and opportunism. We must therefore preserve and strengthen our tourism product and all the bodies, with vision, appetite and love towards this place, we must listen to the messages and the problems of the Times, so we can keep up the support of our country's economy.