EMBASSY NICOSIA SEIZES THE MOMENT TO PROMOTE TRAVEL TO THE

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000336

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/CBA (DENNIS A. WINSTEAD),EB/EX AND EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT BEXP ETRD ECON CY
SUBJECT: EMBASSY NICOSIA SEIZES THE MOMENT TO PROMOTE TRAVEL TO THE
USA



1. Summary: Cypriots love to travel. Specifically, on the Government
Controlled part of the island with a total population of
approximately 800,000 there were 1,080,512 trips recorded of
Cypriots who traveled abroad in 2007. However, less than 15,000
recorded trips were to the USA. Taking into account that Cypriots
love to shop and taking advantage of the favorable exchange rates
from Euro to US Dollars, Embassy Nicosia seized the opportunity and
launched a promotional plan for travel to the USA. Part of that
plan and in cooperation with the Consular Section, is to assist
travel agents, tour operators, and airline personnel become familiar
with the Embassy's visa application procedure so they can assist
their customers. With the assistance of the Business Facilitation
Incentive Fund (BFIF) and in cooperation with Embassy London and
Continental Airlines, Embassy Nicosia co-sponsored a cutting-edge
event with Continental and is also funding the Commercial
Specialist's trip to the International Travel show (International
POW WOW) in May 2008. End Summary.


2. The Economic/Commercial Officer and the Commercial Specialist of
Embassy Nicosia held a series of meetings with travel agents, tour
operators, and airline representatives in Cyprus to promote the USA
as a travel destination. Moreover, the Economic/Commercial Officer
and the Commercial Specialist have established a very close
relationship with the General Manager and the Chairperson of the
Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA) through which they now
can access all ACTA members. Following the meetings and in
cooperation with the Consular Section, Embassy Nicosia provided
training on how to complete the visa applications online to all
interested travel agents and airline personnel. This training
offered travel specialists the opportunity to speak knowledgably to
their clients about the visa application process and help them
promote high commission-earning travel to this long-haul
destination.


3. To show Cypriot travelers that the U.S. is a superb alternative
to the traditional Cypriot shopping and/or gambling expeditions to
the U.K. or their favorite destination, Greece, Embassy Nicosia
organized a cutting-edge event with Continental Airlines (the only
U.S. airline represented in Cyprus). Commercial Specialist Stewart
Gough was flown in from London to give a presentation at this
America-themed event. The event was attended by 10 different
airlines represented on the island, over 40 travel agencies/tour
operators, media, and other distinguished guests including the
Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism.


4. Helping Cypriot travel agents and tour operators establish
relationships with U.S. based agencies, hotel groups, and tourist
promotion offices in each U.S. state is an important part of the
promotion plan. To achieve that, the Commercial Specialist in
Nicosia will attend the International Travel Show (POW WOW) in the
U.S. from May 31 to June 4, 2008. The trip is funded from the BFIF
program.


5. In our follow-up meetings with most travel agents/tour operators,
we are informed that the number of Cypriots who plan to travel to
the USA this summer is growing significantly. Nevertheless, for
more quantifiable evidence we will have to wait until the end of the
year.


6. If you wish to get more information on any of these projects,
please contact Commercial Specialist Ms. Ephie-Yvonnie Charalambidou
charalambidouey@state.gov or +357-22-393362 or Economic/Commercia