CYPRUS Tourism Organisation (CTO) has plans to open a representation office in India next year, having concluded its maiden two-city roadshows in New Delhi and Mumbai last month as part of its efforts including workshops and fam trips to enhance its presence in the country.
Vassillis Theocharides, director, CTO, said: “We are looking to appoint a representation body next year. However, we have to work on ad hoc projects first. Our present focus is to create awareness of Cyprus in the Indian market. We have not set targets as far as numbers are concerned.”
CTO will roll out an online training programme, www.agentslovecyprus.com, for the Indian and Middle Eastern markets by end-November.
The NTO is targeting the Indian MICE and wedding segments. Theocharides said: “We are open to organising marketing campaigns with partners who can send large groups to Cyprus. We will bear 75 per cent of the campaign cost. We will also hold personal meetings with Indian corporates.”
Guldeep Singh Sahni, president, Outbound Tour Operators Association of India, said: “Although Cyprus is a small country, one can indulge in a lot of activities there. Cyprus is an affordable destination and quite near to European destinations we have been selling.
“Arrivals to Cyprus from Russia and the UK are very high at present. I think India will grow as one of the significant markets for Cyprus in the near future,” he added.
