The first academic colloquium staged by Neapolis University addressing the “Cypriot tourism in the new competitive environment”

The first academic colloquium staged by Neapolis University in Cyprus proved to be a great success. Held on Thursday 29 March at the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBE), it addressed “Cypriot tourism in the new competitive environment”. The event was organized in association with the Cyprus Hoteliers Association and the Limassol EBE.

The welcome address was given by the Vice Rector of Neapolis University Pafos, Mr Giorgos Leptos, who referred to the important role the university plays as a driver for development across Cypriot society as a whole. Mr Leptos also presented the new MBA in Tourism courses, which Neapolis University Pafos now offers as both residential and distance programmes, providing meaningful support to the tourist sector. Mr Kostas Galatariotis, the Chairman of the Limassol EBE, which hosted the event, also welcomed the participants, referring to the dynamism of the Cypriot tourist sector in his speech.

The first main speaker of the day was the Chairman of the Cypriot Hoteliers Association , Mr Haris Loizidis, who explored The challenges of Tourism since 2013. Mr Loizidis talked about the development of Cypriot tourism and the role the private sector played in helping Cyprus out of the recent financial crisis, along with the obstacles it had to overcome to do so. In his speech, he presented the specific actions and policies taken by the Cypriot tourist sector which had allowed it to retain its competitive advantage, He also stressed the need for collaborations between the public and private sectors.

The second speaker, Mrs Lia Zampetoglou, Director of Learning Development at INSETE, spoke about the research and education activities undertaken by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation , which seeks to inform and develop Greek tourism industry professionals. Mrs Zampetoglou also stressed the importance of education and training for the contemporary tourism professional, as well as the human-centred nature of the industry.

The final speaker was Mr Sotirios Varelas, Lecturer in Tourism at Neapolis University Paphos, who addressed the challenges which contemporary tourism enterprises are called upon to meet in an ever-changing, globalized environment marked by rapid technological developments.

The Rector of Neapolis University Paphos, Professor Pantelis Sklias, brought the successful event to a close with a summary of its conclusions in which he stressed the strategic role the tourism sector continues to play for the University. Mr Sklias thanked the EBE for its valuable support and invited both the Chairman of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association and the Director of Learning Development at INSETE to initiative a meaningful collaboration with the University of Neapolis Pafos.

The event was part of Neapolis University Pafos’ “Days of Tourism”. The next event in the series is due to take place on Monday 8 April at 19:00 at Neapolis University Pafos. Entitled “Tourist development in Cyprus and Contemporary Challenges”, it will be focused be on sustainability as a factor in development.

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