mitomed project regional gap and swot analyses – review session larnaca district development...

MITOMED PROJECT

REGIONAL GAP AND SWOT ANALYSES – Review Session

Larnaca District Development Agency

CYPRUS

MITOMED Second MeetingGirona, 15-16 January 2015

MITOMED Second Meeting – Girona 15/16 January 2015

Overview of the Activities Carried out in Cyprus

• Assign a team of 4 people to work for the project: review which indicators are feasible, relevant and

important for Cyprus, collect the data for the indicators, prepare the SWOT analysis for M&C tourism for

Cyprus collect relevant data for the good practice.• Engage stakeholders to the process: identify the stakeholders to be involved (already

has be done during the preliminary survey) start to contact and involve the stakeholders to

the activities of MITOMED



Stakeholders:Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO), Statistical Service of Cyprus, Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Nautical Tourism Development UnitMinistry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Water Development DepartmentCyprus Sustainable Tourism InitiativeRegional Tourism Development and Promotion Board of Larnaca. Local Authorities – District offices of Larnaca and FamagustaCyprus Agrotourism Company



• We have carefully reviewed the initial list of the indicators and see which are feasible and relevant/ important for Cyprus organize a focus group with the stakeholders

• Started the collection of data based on the final list of indicators.

• Prepare the SWOT Analysis } • Selected a Good Practice }

Involve Stakeholders and get feedback from

them



• Focus group:


Overview of the process • From the focus group we have also identified for each indicator (most of them) the relevant data source: → Most of the data were available from the Statistical Service of Cyprus → Data from the Research Department of the CTO. → Some available data from the two relevant Ministries from relevant reports and data bases they have (some data are not available on line).



Overview of the process • The team started to collect the relevant data for year 2013 (in cooperation with the stakeholders),• For every indicator we recorded the source of data relevant comments on this issue. • All data files, reports, studies etc. that where used are saved in a folder and linked to each indicator,• Decision: update list of indicators every year but we need to include more indicators (the ones that are relevant for Cyprus and also feasible from the initial list).• Recorded problems we face and gaps,• By the 12th of December we have collected all the data.



Overview of the process•On the 17th December we had a second focus group where we presented the results and get comments/ feedback from them and on the 18th we have sent the data to UOG.



Brief description of main findings/most significant dataScreenshot of indicators (with values)

Revised Indicators 01-12-14.xls

Indicators testing in Cyprus. Feedback on data collected/ main findings


SWOT ANALYSIS of M&C destinations in Cyprus

During the second focus group we had the opportunity to present the SWOT Analysis for Maritime and Coastal Tourism in Cyprus and get comments and feedbacks from the stakeholders

Strengths

Very good Climate conditions (sun for 300 days all over year and a subtropical climate),

Offering of qualitative services (for example Very good and prize-winning hotels with international marketing and recognition and with high quality facilities),

Alteration of tourist profile. Promotion of new touristic products related to the sea and more environmental friendly,

Rich Natural and Cultural Environment, Excellent quality of Bath Water, Short distances among major attractions



Strengths

Presence of incentives from government and funds for the improvement of infrastructures and other kind of interventions,

Wide scale infrastructures (accommodation and transport), Provision of e-services, electronic info-kiosks electronic

guides, Strong linkages with major stakeholders of the maritime sector

(maritime clusters), Research on coastal and marine tourism (ex. economic,

environmental impact etc.), Good standards of education, training and skills with

University departments and vocational d schools to provide specialized personnel for coastal and maritime tourism,

Use Carrying Capacity Assessment to sustain natural resources when it comes to Maritime spatial planning/Integrated Coastal Zone Management,



Strengths

Existence of relevant legislation applied in local level for Integrated local development,

Municipality, chamber of commerce and associations participate to the development of policies and strategies for maritime and coastal tourism,

The existence of Regional Tourism Boards (PPP forms responsible to promote public-private collaboration, regional strategies, development of new products and promotion),

Existence of national companies starting cruise itineraries, Proximity to main cruise destinations, Many shore attractions.



Weakness

“Monoculture” of the traditional “sea and sun” product, Increase of the model of mass tourism (all inclusive) The pressures for tourism development resulted in extensive

building construction of buildings along the coast and evident deterioration of the visual and functional relationship between the coast and the inland area,

The development of tourism concentrated in the coastal zone with a share of beds at 95% of the total, resulting in pressure on the coastal environment,

Lack of sufficient funding for further improvement of services and development of new forms of products,

Expensive destination, Decrease of the relation of quality/price, Low profitability, Seasonality, Limited ability of bank system to finance touristic activities,



Weakness

No Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Degradation of built environment in street level, Lack of efficient transport connections with the airport and in

general of transport connections in the island Need for closer cooperation related to spatial planning and

cluster development, Perception of low image of touristic education, Difficulties in the application of relevant regulations for

Integrated local development, No national funding opportunities and this causes difficulties

of Regional Boards to implement strategies, mostly due to limited funding.

Absennse of a national carrier (Cyprus Airways the national carries has recently been closed down).



Opportunities

Enrichment of the existing “sea and sun” product with alternative forms of tourism,

Enrichment of the traditional Cypriot tourist product with new elements which constitute a competitive advantage (e.g. thalassotherapy, mineral springs etc.),

Spatial and product diversification of tourism development (greater emphasis on village tourism combined with cultural heritage settings and facilities),

Development of e-marketing for the facilitating penetration to new markets,

Increase interest from airlines, Strategy for the alteration of touristic profile, Funds that would encourage innovative products and services,



Opportunities

Access to EU funding for the construction of new infrastructures and the improvement of the existed ones,

Construction of water projects (port, marinas), Incentives for participation to training activities specially

dedicates to coastal and maritime tourism, Strategy for the promotion of new products and image of

Cyprus coastal and maritime tourism.



Threats

Seasonality is still harmful to tourism industry performance, Depreciation of natural and built environment, Degradation of sea front due to increased development, The Cyprus tourism industry gradually moved towards mass

tourism, Tourist arrivals have been increasing but environmental quality

and the length of stay are diminishing, Cyprus is now subject to strong competition from other similar

destinations, Limited financial resources for research on coastal and

maritime tourism, Competition from emergence non EU destinations (for example

Turkey), Dependency from tour operators, Weakened hospitality image



Threats

Difficulty to attract new investments, Difficulties of SME’s to access private finance, Lot of ageing infrastructures that need upgrade, Overconcentration of economic activities in coastal areas, Loss of productive resources, Environmental pressures, Potential environmental pressures to bathing waters.


Knowledge

Indicators testing - GAP ANALYSIS: Overview of initial findings

Current Situation (what we have)

Future state (what we would like to have/need)

GAP(in terms of knowledge and/or performance)

Next Actions / Proposals (to reach the future state, what we need)

Most of the data are available for

Cyprus as well as per sub-

destinations (Agia Napa, Paphos etc)

Have a monitoring toll Add more

indicators that are relevant and important for Cyprus and

collected them every yeay

Some data are not available online or

easy to get

Assign a body to collect-gather the data every year

Better interaction between relevant

stakeholders

No data on Area and volume of

sand nourishment

We want to have this data

Municipalities dont keep record on

this data

Start to record the data for this

indicator


Performance

Indicators testing - GAP ANALYSIS: Overview of initial findings

Current Situation (what we have)

Future state (what we would like to have/need)

GAP(in terms of knowledge and/or performance)

Next Actions / Proposals (to reach the future state, what we need)

Problem of seasonality

Tourists all over the year

Monoculture” of the traditional “sea and sun” product

Tourism product diversification and alternative forms

of tourism

Mass Tourism with all inclusive

less tourism spending

Increase the daily spending of tourisms

income from tourism

Dont know consumption behaviour of

tourisms

Market analysis on behaviour of tourisms from

different countries


Good Practice: Water data collection, data bases, access and utilization of data by third parties – The upgrade to a Geographical Information SystemNECSTouR Topic of the practice Reduction and Optimization of Use of Natural Resources with particular reference to WaterAll Country Started November 2010 and finish end of 2013The Water Development Department is responsible for implementing the water in Cyprus main objective of this policy is the rational development, protection and management of the water resources of Cyprus.

Regional good practices


On November of 2010 the WD with respect to water data collection (Law 79(I)/2010) started the following activities :To conduct activities related to the investigation, monitoring and research of the Republic's water resources,To conduct water monitoring and control programmes, To collect, evaluate and maintain data and information on the available water resources and on their quality, To construct, maintain and operate hydrometric works, To keep registers and data bases.



Based on this the WD start the collection of data-on the Water Quantity:Rivers: monitoring programme: Data collected from 52 sites on a continuous/mean daily flows and data are available on a time series since October 1965.Groundwater: monitoring programme: Data from 50 sites once a month and data on springflow and temperatures. Data are available on time series since 1950.Groundwater levels: More than 1100 boreholes are currently monitored and data collected twice a month with time series since 1960.Reservoirs: monitoring programme: Data collected from 19 sites on a daily basis on the water level and storage. Time series from the 1990.



For the Water Quality:Surface Waters: 45 river monitoring stations, frequency: 9time per year, 13 lake (reservoir) monitoring stations, frequency: 6 times per year. Elements for biological monitoring: macroinvertebrates, phytobenthos, macrophytes, chlorophyll a. Parameters for chemical monitoring: Metals, VOCs, Pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, nutrients, microbiology, exotoxicology, physico‐chemical parameters (Temp., pH, EC, DO, Turbidity)Groundwater: 88 monitoring stations: 85 boreholes, 3 springs. Frequency: 2 times per year. Parameters for chemical monitoring: Metals, VOCs, Pesticides, ionic analyses, physico‐chemical parameters.



For the Water Quality:Small reservoirs monitoring programme: 21 reservoirs, frequency: 3 times per year. Parameters: Ionic analysis, nutrients, physico‐chemical parameters.Major springs monitoring programme. 50 springs, frequency: 2 times per year. Parameters: Ionic analysis, physico‐chemical parameters.Monitoring of village drinking water sources. Large number of boreholes and springs, frequency: once a year.Monitoring of water temperature of major reservoirs. frequency: 2 times per week.Monitoring of physico‐chemical parameters in rivers. >60 sites, frequency: once a month.



Creation of the CYMOS data base that has a map interface for station selection.



in 2010 began the implementation of the first phase of the project "Creation of an Integrated Geographic Information System for the Water Development Department”.That was: Creation of a Database consisting of inter alia geographic data (measuring stations, basins, projects) and hydrometeorological (surface water, groundwater, rainfall) and management data.Management System: a Subsystem of Management and Processing Geographic and Hydrological Data.Network Management Applications: network management by category such as mapping and the management of network zones



The second had the objective to further develop and expand the applications, which will add more value to existing data and increase the analytical and functionality of the systems.

Some of the activities of the second phase are: further expansion of the first phase systems in the

Services and the District Offices, Operating System and Maintenance and fixed networks,

Metering Management System interface with telemetry and Balance Sheet Water Quantities,

Applications graded access to different subsystems of the Internet and a hydrosystem management system and dam safety.



The Integrated Geographic Information System



Integrated Water Geographic Information System


Monitoring tool of the use of water all over Cyprus and the tool allows to have a

management and optimization of water resources as well as water quality in Cyprus,

where water scarcity is a serious problem in the island.

mitomed project regional gap and swot analyses – review session larnaca district development...

Documents

cyprus slide

cyprus stakeholders

activities of mitomed

cyprus focus group

meeting girona

relevant data source

available data

data bases