Officials from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, led by Director of Tourism Annita Demetriades, showcased three new subsidy schemes at a seminar held at the Paralimni Town Hall yesterday. The event was attended by professionals from the tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors.

The first scheme, "Upgrading Dining Areas or Stores Selling Traditional Food Products," includes establishments currently participating or wishing to join culinary agreements like "Taste of Cyprus." The initiative aims to support improvements in service quality for licensed leisure centers such as restaurants and taverns, including those seeking to join quality agreements like "Taste of Cyprus," and upgrade existing traditional food product outlets.

The areas eligible for this scheme are divided into three categories: "Mountainous and Remote," with a subsidy rate of 75% of total eligible expenses; "Rural Areas," with a subsidy rate of 65%; and "Other Areas," with a subsidy rate of 50%.

The total budget allocated for the scheme in 2023 is 3.6 million euros. Applications will be accepted until January 8, 2024, and will be evaluated in the order they are received by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.

It's noted that the maximum subsidy amount, regardless of business size, is 200,000 euros per rolling three-year period.

The second scheme targets the "Creation and Enhancement of Tourism Facilities and Services for Health, Wellness, Rehabilitation, Accessibility, and Assisted Living in Hotels and Tourist Accommodations." This initiative aims to attract health and wellness tourism by upgrading existing hotels and tourist accommodations to attract year-round health tourism and become accessible to individuals with disabilities or mobility issues, those with chronic health problems, post-operative rehabilitation, athletes, seniors, and others.

The project budget is 5 million euros, with applications due by September 29, 2024, or until the budget is exhausted. Proposals are evaluated in the order they are submitted. The scheme has nationwide coverage and is divided into three categories based on geographic location: mountainous border and remote areas, rural areas, and all other areas.

In the free area of Famagusta, there are three geographic regions for funding purposes. The first is the Liopetri in the "Rural" geographic area, which receives a grant of 65% of the total eligible expenses. The second group includes Avgourou, Acheritou, Achana, Dherynia, Strovilia, and Frenaros in the "Mountainous, Frontier, Remote" geographic area, with a grant rate of 75% of the total eligible expenses. The third encompasses all other areas in the free province of Famagusta, excluding those in the first and second regions, with a grant rate of 50% of the total eligible expenses.

The third scheme, "Subsidies for Improving Accessibility Infrastructure, Environmental Awareness, and Creation/Upgrade of Special Interest Tourism Infrastructure," aims to enhance service levels and upgrade the product offerings of specialized tourism forms outlined in the National Tourism Strategy 2030.

Eligible applicants include municipalities and communities, hotels and tourist accommodations, Metropolises, and legal entities interested in investing in new or upgrading existing situations related to religious tourism, wellness tourism, and sports tourism.

For religious tourism, the scheme provides for the creation of worship spaces within hotel units. In sports tourism, eligible expenses are those made in private or public spaces with the necessary permits for creating facilities for sports that do not impact the natural environment, such as bowls and disc golf, which can be easily removed or relocated.

The subsidy covers up to 75% of the total expense, with a maximum amount of 20,000 euros. Applications are accepted year-round or until funds are depleted.