Informal EU tourism ministers meeting held in Nicosia

The informal meeting of EU tourism ministers took place at the Filoxenia Conference Center in Nicosia as part of the Cypriot presidency. Cyprus Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis and EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas discussed the first common EU strategy for sustainable tourism. The sector contributes 5% to 10% of the EU's GDP and supports approximately 25 million jobs. Koumis noted that while the industry has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, it faces challenges such as environmental pressure, infrastructure demands, and overtourism. Commissioner Tzitzikostas emphasized that the meeting occurs amid international uncertainty, particularly due to the conflict in the Middle East affecting travel and fuel prices. While a ceasefire has briefly stimulated bookings in affected regions, officials expressed only cautious optimism regarding the global tourism environment. The session aims to coordinate future actions and support small and medium-sized tourism enterprises.