Industrial tourism conference held in Nicosia to boost local economy

The Nicosia Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP) recently hosted an international conference titled 'Industrial Tourism Conference – Enhancing Visitor Experiences and Promoting Local Businesses' at the CYENS center. Held within the framework of the European project IndusTour under the Interreg Europe program, the event explored how industrial sites can serve as tourist attractions. The initiative aims to leverage Nicosia’s food and beverage production, wineries, cosmetics manufacturing, and quarries to boost tourism beyond coastal areas. Sotiris Christoforou, an official from ETAP Nicosia, highlighted that this model promotes cultural heritage and economic diversification. He noted that visits to production units, such as halloumi factories, offer authentic experiences for visitors and educational opportunities for youth. The conference specifically discussed the potential of adapting European models, including the French approach to industrial tourism, to fit the Cypriot context. By opening production facilities to the public, the organizers hope to improve business outreach and address tourism seasonality. No heavy industry is required to participate, as the project focuses on existing small-to-medium productive sectors.