International Collaboration Key to Tourism Recovery
In the picturesque city of Tirana, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis took the stage at the 70th Session of the Europe Commission of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). His message was clear: international collaboration is paramount for overcoming the challenges that the tourism sector faces globally.
Koumis highlighted the shared difficulties that European tourist destinations are grappling with, such as the energy crisis, inflation, and labour shortages. These issues, he argued, call for a collective response to secure the sector’s resurgence and expansion. “As a country and as a tourist destination with a history and reliable strategic partners, we have to ensure the high quality of services, which involves repeated visits and multiple benefits for the economy,” he stated.
Turning his attention to Cyprus, Koumis outlined the nation’s dedication to elevating its tourism experience, with a particular focus on rural areas. He spoke of a comprehensive plan already in motion to boost tourism services across the country and reaffirmed Cyprus’s commitment to working alongside other European nations to tackle common challenges.
The summit proved to be a pivotal gathering for UNWTO European Regional Commission members, as they deliberated on the role of investment in tourism as a catalyst for economic growth. With Europe having achieved 94 per cent of its pre-pandemic tourism levels in 2023, and Africa and the Americas not far behind, the urgency to address both new and existing barriers to prosperity in the sector was palpable.
Amidst the conference’s busy agenda, Koumis found time for bilateral discussions with key figures such as UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, Albania’s Vilma Bello, Israel’s Haim Katz, and Kazakhstan’s Yerzhan Yerkinbayev. These meetings underscored the commitment to fostering partnerships and sharing insights that could pave the way for a more robust and interconnected global tourism industry.
