Tourism Cares Initiative Successfully Unites Cyprus’ Tourism Industry for a Cleaner Future
Cyprus, September 27, 2024
The “Tourism Cares: Unite for a Cleaner Cyprus” initiative has concluded with outstanding success. Around 60 tourism businesses, members and colleagues of the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI), from across the island participated, engaging over 1200 staff members and 450 hotel guests in a collective effort to clean up coastal and public areas. Cleanup events were organized across Cyprus, spanning from the eastern to the western parts of the island and from Nicosia to the mountains. Together, we managed to remove over 1,500 kg of waste, showcasing the tourism industry’s strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. This remarkable achievement highlights the power of collaboration in protecting Cyprus’ natural beauty for generations to come.
Held in celebration of World Tourism Day 2024, this large-scale cleanup campaign marked a significant milestone in Cyprus’ journey towards sustainable tourism. In line with the UN’s theme for 2024, “Tourism and Peace,” the initiative also emphasized the role of tourism in promoting peace, cross-cultural understanding, and environmental protection. By fostering cooperation among businesses, visitors, and local communities, the campaign reflected the potential of tourism to serve as a bridge for peace and as a force for sustainable development.
The “Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free” Project is part of TUI Care Foundation’s Destination Zero Waste Programme, and is implemented in partnership with the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI), and focuses on reducing single-use plastics in the coastal areas of Cyprus, so that less plastic ends up in the sea reducing plastic pollution. The “Tourism Cares: Unite for a Cleaner Cyprus” initiative was part of the “Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free” Project and co-organized by TUI, TUI Care Foundation and CSTI.
Key Highlights of the Initiative:
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- Around 60 tourism businesses, members and colleagues of the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI), from across Cyprus took part in the campaign.
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- More than 1200 staff members and 450 hotel guests participated in the cleanups.
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- Over 1,500 kg of waste was collected from beaches and public spaces across the island.
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- Tourism businesses engaged in not only cleaning up but also raising awareness among guests about reducing single-use plastic and supporting sustainable tourism practices.
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- Under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism with their active participation.
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- Endorsed by the Commissioner for the Environment.
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- Fully supported by key tourism organizations, including the Cyprus Hotel Association (PASYXE), the Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises (STEK), the Cyprus Hotel Managers Association (PASYDIXE), the Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA), and other tourism stakeholders.
Quotes from Organizers:
Philippos Drousiotis, Chairman of the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI), stated, “This initiative has shown the power of collective action. We are proud of the tourism sector’s response and the long-term impact these cleanups will have on reducing littering and promoting sustainability.”
Alexander Panczuk, Executive Director of TUI Care Foundation: “The reduction of plastic waste in holiday destinations is only possible through a strong collaboration between stakeholders, from hotels and tour operators to NGOs and holidaymakers. The TUI Care Foundation welcomes this initiative in partnership with TUI and CSTI to join forces with Cypriots as well as visitors and transform Cyprus into a beacon of sustainable tourism.”
Following the success of this initiative, co-organisers of the initiative aim to continue promoting environmental stewardship within the tourism sector and beyond. Businesses are encouraged to maintain sustainable practices and further engage in reducing their environmental footprint.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
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- Panagiota Koutsofta, Project Manager, Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free: +357 99905369, p.koutsofta@sandseaplasticfree.org
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- Philippos Drousiotis, Chairman, Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI): +357 99800189
About the Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free Project
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- The “Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free” Project aims to bring together tourists, tourism businesses and residents to cut consumption of single-use plastic in coastal regions so that less plastic ends up in the sea reducing plastic pollution.
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- The project is part of TUI Care Foundation’s Destination Zero Waste Programme and is implemented in partnership with the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI). It seeks new ways to reduce and reuse waste which create jobs and promotes a circular economy in Cyprus.
About the TUI Care Foundation
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- Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and initiates partnerships and projects which create new opportunities and contribute to thriving communities all over the world. Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, it supports education and training opportunities for young people; promotes the protection of the natural environment in holiday destinations; and helps local communities to thrive sustainably and benefit from tourism. The TUI Care Foundation works globally and acts locally – it builds on strong partnerships with local and international organisations to create meaningful and long-lasting impact. The TUI Care Foundation was founded by TUI, the world’s leading tourism business, and is based in the Netherlands.
About the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI)
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- The Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative is a non-profit nongovernmental organisation. It was established in 2006, following a two-year long project of the Travel Foundation that created a partnership of UK leading tour operators, environmental Cypriot NGOs, the Cyprus Tourism Organization – CTO (Deputy Ministry of Tourism as of JAN19), Cyprus Travel Agents and small village producers, their communities, and associations. CSTI aims to harness tourism demand (tour operators, agents) with the supply of tourism resources (small producers and their communities) to develop a sustainable approach to tourism in Cyprus. Offering a memorable experience for the tourist, this approach also provides a clear economic benefit to villages marginalized by mass tourism, while minimizing adverse socio-economic and environmental impact.
