Wedding tourism to get ‘bigger and better’, CTO says

Wedding tourism is expected to get bigger and better over the next two years, according to the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) with the UK being one of the biggest markets.

Around half of the weddings in Cyprus, some 4,000 a year, are actually British holiday makers the CTO said on Wednesday following officials’ return from the London Wedding Exhibition.

Paphos is the most popular destination from UK arrivals wanting to say ‘I do’, followed by Famagusta and Larnaca.

“There are efforts to diversify and enrich the wedding product as well as introducing new imaginative and innovative spots for themed ceremonies, particularly those that have to do with the goddess Aphrodite as a benchmark for Cyprus as a holiday destination,” the CTO said.

While in London, the organisation boasted the island’s luxury hotels, spas & resorts, historic locations, secluded beaches ideal for barefoot weddings and traditional villages, meeting with key players in the industry.

Their action plan now includes more marketing activity such as collaborations with specialist travel agents, sales calls in the British markets, targeted promotion through social media and inviting journalists and travel agents to the island to showcase the island and tourism product.

Earlier this year the Paphos regional board of tourism said there were concerted efforts due to get underway to promote Polis and Neo Chorio as a hot spot for destination weddings and honeymoons.