Travel Foundation in Cyprus ‘village route’ initiative
A Cyprus Village Routes initiative designed to raise the sustainability of tourism on the island has been developed by the Travel Foundation and The Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative.
Cosmos, First Choice, MyTravel, Sunvil, Thomas Cook, and Thomson are supporting the measure along with village communities, village producers and craftspeople and environmental organisations in Cyprus.
The idea is to benefit traditional hill villages previously marginalized from the economic benefits of tourism in Cyprus. The routes will provide holidaymakers with a natural and cultural experience not normally on offer to ordinary tourists.
The aim is to develop six routes, supported by a map and booklet in English, that will be placed in rental cars, hotels and tour operator companies backing the initiative. Profit made by CSTI on the sale of village route material to their partners will be reinvested in further initiatives including additional village routes.
A route around the central and western Lemesos District, departing from Limassol or Paphos. Highlights include the Pastelli Museum in Anogyra, Oleastro Olive Park and family-run and organic wineries. The trip can be taken as a full day itinerary or visitors can use the information to do part day trips to specific places included.
Itineraries can be picked up at hotels, car hire companies or are supplied by operators and include suggestions of places to visit, taverna recommendations, festivals in the villages and the history of buildings seen en route.
The idea is driven by increased demand for more independent travel in Cyprus using rental cars. The Cyprus tourism market is characterized by a percentage of repeat and long stay visitors especially during the ‘shoulder’ seasons. These visitors stay both in hotels and villas and want to be able to explore the island, but with some defined route map, according to the Travel Foundation.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025