Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism:
"Health tourism, an intensely growing niche sector, constitutes an important part of Cyprus’ overall tourism strategy. It is particularly important for the expansion of the island’s tourism product as it can lead to many advantages, such as an increase in the average length of stay of visitors and subsequently an increase in total expenditure. At the same time, it contributes to the reduction of seasonality, supporting our current efforts to develop and promote year-round tourism to Cyprus.
The government’s objective, based on the country’s advanced medical services and its unique climatic attributes, is to establish Cyprus as an important health and wellness destination and attract visitors worldwide. Alongside the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, the Ministries of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism and Health, and the Cyprus Health Services Promotion Board, are currently investigating the best way forward to utilise the full potential of Cyprus’s unique climatic advantages to target special needs groups, such as persons suffering from asthma and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Our competitive edge at the moment is that we have all the fundamental elements in place with our robust tourism sector and excellent medical professionals and facilities, as well being an EU member state with a strategic geographical location between three continents. In addition, being a strong regional business centre and with a rapidly developing oil and gas sector attracting more business to the island, Cyprus has great prospects to further diversify and expand its product. Medical tourism could provide the economy of Cyprus with great opportunities and new revenue streams, which is why it is vital that we bring together all the relevant stakeholders to share their expertise and ideas in developing this niche sector of tourism."
Philippos Patsalis, Minister of Health:
"We are working collectively and with great aspiration for Cyprus to establish itself on the medical tourist map as a reputable medical centre and fast becoming a preferred value destination for medical tourism. Cyprus is already welcoming a great number of foreign patients seeking to enjoy the very high standard of care our medical centres offer combined with Cyprus exceptional weather and beauties. The country aspires to embrace this evolving market that's ripe for growth.
By offering great opportunities to combine medical treatments with great holidays, Cyprus is ready to welcome more patients to our medical centres. Our hospitals, clinics and the high number of qualified staff in our health services as well as the affordable prices for treatment are great assets for this segment to flourish. Cyprus’ Mediterranean environment with its natural wealth, a climate ideal for patient treatment and rehabilitation, tradition in healthy nutrition, historical and cultural heritage and internationally renowned medical professionals are among the few that any patient can experience in Cyprus.
The implementation of the European Directive for Cross Border Health Care in 2014 allows the free movement of 450 million patients across the EU. The adoption of this truly reformist directive will contribute to improving the quality and safety of health care across Europe and ultimately benefit health care systems in individual EU countries. Cyprus is determined to tap into this market. As part of our strategy, links with major tour operators will further strengthen and calls will be made for more initiatives to be taken by will all the stakeholders involved; ministries, organizations, local authorities, Cypriot businesses. Cyprus has many more to offer as a medical tourism destination and a further healthier competition under the umbrella of our National Health Service which is to implement in full in 2016, will strengthen this effort of ours, offering better services to our patients."
Annita Demetriadou, Director of Tourism and Strategy at Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO):
“Attracting visitors for both leisure and health purposes, as well as for other niche tourism segments, is an integral part of our strategy. One of Cyprus’ bestselling aspects in terms of health tourism is the opportunity to combine holidays with medical treatments while visiting the island. In addition to our highly skilled medical professionals and great hospitals and clinics, Cyprus has great possibilities for relaxing and enjoyable post-treatment recuperation with our warm climate and 340 days of sunshine a year. Cyprus can offer a wide range of medical procedures and treatments, but we need to focus on certain types of services to establish an identity as a medical destination, such as phototherapy, dentistry, IVF and cosmetic surgery. Strong cooperation and synergies between tourism entrepreneurs, tour operators and medical professionals and facilities can only strengthen the development of this niche sector and help in our efforts to establish Cyprus as a destination of choice for medical tourists worldwide.”
Charis Papacharalambous, Director General of Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA):
“Developing Cyprus as a competitive medical tourism destination provides numerous benefits for the economy and offers a great opportunity to connect the existing tourism infrastructure with the high-quality medical services sector. To brand, package and promote Cyprus successfully on a global level, it is imperative to have collaboration between all private and public sector stakeholders. Building this niche segment of tourism also further encourages foreign direct investments in healthcare infrastructure and could boost tourist numbers in general, especially during the low season. Cyprus is already a well-established and well-known tourist destination, which is a significant advantage to promote health tourism as a national product.”
