Cyprus is all set to tap the Indian outbound travel market which is currently pegged at over 15 million travellers and estimated to reach 50 million by 2020. With well-defined strategy and clear focus, Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) recently organised a roadshow in New Delhi and Mumbai in association with Gulf Air. The roadshow received overwhelming response from the Indian travel trade with over 200 travel agents and tour operators from top MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition) firms attending the event.

Kick-starting the promotional activities, the tourism organisation brought in three suppliers from Cyprus to help the Indian travel agents and tour operators to not only understand the product but also package it well with the help of local suppliers. Indian travel trade also got an opportunity to meet and network with local suppliers from Cyprus – Smart Events, Amathus Destinations and Sea Hat Travel & Tours.

Talking about India as a potential tourism market for Cyprus, Vassilis Theocharides, Director, Dubai Office, Cyprus Tourism Organisation said, “India is an exciting market for Cyprus. It is increasingly becoming a key source travel market for major destinations in Europe and is also listed in top markets in terms of foreign exchange. We are targeting not only MICE but also families, FITs and groups with higher spending power and who are looking for experiential travel.”

To attract the Indian MICE sector, CTO has also introduced an attractive Incentive programme. “The programme will help us attract big incentive and wedding groups. Considering the growth of incentive travel in India, it is one segment which cannot be ignored. On the other hand, Indian weddings will help us build our brand among top Indian HNI (High Network Individuals).”

Rona-Marie Panteli, Deputy High Commissioner, Cyprus High Commission in Delhi, informed that Cyprus is also an idyllic holiday destination for families and honeymooners due to a variety of activities available in Cyprus. Elaborating on the air connectivity between India and Cyprus, Hussain Abdul Rahman, Country Manager – India, Gulf Air said “Gulf Air is a perfect airline option as it offers excellent connectivity to Larnaca Airport in Cyprus from its hub in Bahrain. And our flights are very conveniently placed for Indian travellers and do not require a long transit time.” Currently, Gulf Air operates five-times-a-week flights to Larnaca, and in summer it operates daily flights to the destination.

Source : Gurpreet Gandhi