Skip to main content

Why Must Cyprus Lead in Sustainable Tourism?

05/06/2025
Why Must Cyprus Lead in Sustainable Tourism?

Cyprus stands at a critical crossroads. Tourism remains the backbone of its economy, but it also places immense pressure on the island’s natural and cultural resources — from water scarcity and coastal erosion to overdevelopment and habitat loss. With the island welcoming nearly four times its population in visitors each year, sustainable tourism is no longer a policy choice — it’s a matter of necessity. That’s why CARDET, through the Upskilling for Sustainable Tourism (UST) project, is equipping local actors with the tools, training, and knowledge to lead a bottom up approach.

A Fragile Balance

Cyprus enjoys a thriving tourism industry built on its beaches and natural landscapes, cultural wealth, and Mediterranean charm. Yet this success comes with mounting challenges: water scarcity, climate change-induced coastal erosion, overdevelopment, and forest fires. These are further intensified by a seasonal, high-impact tourism model, heavily concentrated on the coast during the summer months. Unless Cyprus recalibrates its approach, it risks depleting the very assets that make it a desirable destination.

The recent local governance reform, reducing the number of Municipalities and creating district-level organisations, presents a timely opportunity. However, structural change alone isn’t enough. Real progress demands genuine decentralisation, giving local authorities the resources and autonomy to actively shape and manage sustainable tourism.

Local Leadership: The Missing Piece

Today, according to researchers, most of the Municipalities, for the most part, remain dependent on the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and regional Tourism Development and Promotion Companies (TDPCs) to craft and implement tourism strategies. While programs like The Heartland of Legends, Cyprus Breakfast, and the Cyprus Agrotourism Company are commendable, most Municipalities still lack the capacity due to skills, financial and legal constraints, to lead systemic change.

As a leading research and development centre, CARDET is addressing this gap through the Upskilling for Sustainable Tourism (UST) project — co-funded by the European Union (Project Number: 2022-1-SE01-KA220-VET-000089744). The initiative builds vocational and entrepreneurial skills, promotes community-led tourism, and nurtures a shift toward environmentally and socially responsible practices. By investing in local capacity-building, UST is laying the foundations for long-term, place-based transformation.

Empowering municipalities can be a game-changer. Local councils understand their regions’ unique cultural and environmental assets. From the promotion of natural landscapes through the creation of natural trails, and supporting local producers and communities to embracing circular economy practices, they can define and promote their identity. Small, visible projects can have an outsized impact — guiding tourists, engaging residents, and setting new industry expectations.

Partnerships and Policy: A Unified Vision

But local efforts alone are not enough. Partnerships are essential. Municipalities should collaborate with NGOs, environmental groups, small businesses, and tourism professionals. These stakeholders already offer innovation and community-rooted solutions. What’s often missing is coordination, leadership, and more importantly a unified strategic vision.

Cyprus must also step up its national advocacy. This includes ratifying key sustainability protocols, like the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), and adopting a cohesive national strategy for sustainable tourism. The island cannot afford fragmented or cosmetic efforts. What’s needed is a long-term, joined-up approach that aligns environmental protection with economic and social resilience.

From Challenge to Competitive Edge

This isn’t just about sustainability, it’s about competitive advantage. Global tourism trends are changing. More travellers seek authentic, low-impact experiences. They want to hike nature trails, taste local wines, and stay in heritage villages. Cyprus is uniquely positioned to meet this demand, if it moves decisively and inclusively.

The roadmap is clear. With initiatives like UST, genuine local empowerment, and strong national commitment, Cyprus has the potential not only to protect its future but to lead the Mediterranean — and beyond — in sustainable tourism.

More information about this forward-looking initiative is available at ustproject.eu.

Marios Demosthenous
Senior Researcher / Sustainability Expert at CARDET

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Project Number : 2022-1-SE01-KA220-VET-000089744

Target Groups

Policy makers

Education Level

VET