Cyprus Tourism targets Indian outbound tourists by launching a series of promotions

Nov. 5, 2009 - PRLog -- Cyprus, a year-round Mediterranean island destination with a population of close to 800,000 is eyeing the lucrative Indian outbound market. It announced its foray in the Indian market today.

Addressing the press in Mumbai, Vassilis Theocharides, Director, Middle East and Gulf, Cyprus Tourism Organisation said, “Cyprus is the closest European destination for Indian travellers. Though a modern island nation, it retains an essentially Mediterranean character.”

He further adds, “English is widely spoken in Cyprus as it was a former British colony and it has more than 19 Indian restaurants, which makes it even more comfortable for the Indian traveller.’’

Cyprus is part of the European Union and Indians need a visa to visit Cyprus. They can also visit on a Schengan visa provided they have entered a Schengan country preceding a visit to Cyprus.

Speaking at the launch, Karan Anand, Head—Relationships and Supplier Management, Cox and Kings India Ltd, (CKIL), said, “We are launching a slew of marketing initiatives with Cyprus using our vast network of offices, agents and our franchisee stores across India and we believe that this would provide a platform in promoting Cyprus in the Indian market.’’

CKIL is launching a FREE Holiday offer for 100 people through a print and television campaign. The television campaign will provide highlights of the destination and viewers will have to answer questions on the destination via an SMS. The winners will be selected on the basis of this contest.  The aim is to generate interest in Cyprus as a destination among Indians. This campaign will be launched shortly.

CKIL has also released an exclusive Cyprus brochure with information on various destinations and itineraries.  

Speaking on the launch of the brochure, Ashutosh Mehere, Vice-President, FIT, CKIL, said, “This brochure is a collection of destinations and itineraries for both leisure and corporate travellers and caters specifically to the taste of the Indian traveller.”

In terms of tourism figures, the total number of visitor arrivals to Cyprus in 2008 stood at 2.630.547 and revenue from tourism in 2008 was estimated at 1.810 million Euros. The top five tourism generating markets for Cyprus are UK, Germany, Greece, Sweden and Norway. The average length of stay of a tourist is around 10 nights.

Geographically, its 9,251 square kms (3,572 square miles), encompass citrus and olive groves, pine forested mountains reaching heights of 1,950 metres (6,400 feet), and some of Europe’s cleanest beaches. The island has a mild, typically Mediterranean climate, with abundant warm sunshine and little rain. Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and the international airport in the city of Larnaca is well connected by Etihad and Emirates.

About the Cyprus Tourism Organisation

Cyprus Tourism Organisation operates offices both in Cyprus and abroad. The Head Office is based in Lefkosia (Nicosia) while there are Regional Offices in other cities and areas across the island - Lefkosia (Nicosia), Lemesos (Limassol), Larnaka (Larnaca), Agia Napa, Protaras, Pafos (Paphos), Kato Pafos (Kato Paphos), Larnaka Airport (Larnaca Airport), Pafos Airport (Paphos Airport), Lemesos Port (Limassol Port), Germasogeia, Platres and Polis Chrysochous.

There are also six inspector’s offices operating in Lefkosia, Lemesos, Larnaka, Pafos, Agia Napa and Polis Chrysochous.

Moreover, Cyprus Tourism Organisation has active offices in twenty two major cities worldwide - London, Dublin, Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Stockholm, Helsiniki, Athens, Milan, Zurich, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, New York, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Budapest, Prague, Salonika, St. Petersburg, Warsaw and Dubai.

About Cox and Kings
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Cox and Kings (India) Ltd. is one of the oldest and recognised holiday brands in the Travel and Tourism industry today, that caters to the overall travel needs of the Indian and International traveller. The brand of Cox and Kings has evolved over a period of 250 years.

Our business can be broadly categorised as Leisure Travel, Corporate Travel, Forex and Visa Processing. We also provide value added services viz., customising travel plans for our NRI customers, travel arrangements for Trade Fairs, providing private air charter services, etc. Besides, we offer travel related foreign exchange & payment solutions. In fact, we are one of the first travel companies in India to be granted a license as an Authorized Dealer - Category II under the new licensing regime.

Cox and Kings has won several awards and recognition. The Economic Times, India’s largest business daily has named Cox and Kings as “India’s Top Rated Tour Operator – Outbound”. It has bagged Today’s Traveller Platinum Award for the “Most Innovative Travel Company of 2009”. Cox and Kings has also won the 2009 Award for the Best Domestic Tour Operator and Best Inbound Tour Operator presented by Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI).

Cox and Kings’ registered office is situated in Mumbai, India with 255 points of presence covering 164 locations through a mix of branch sales offices, franchised sales shops, General Sales Agents (GSAs) and Preferred Sales Agents (PSAs).

Cox and Kings has a global presence with its operations in 18 countries besides India through subsidiaries, branch offices and representative offices. We have subsidiaries in UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, US, UAE and Singapore and operate from Moscow (Russia), Maldives and Tahiti through our branch offices and Spain, Sweden, Germany, Italy, France, Taiwan, South America and South Africa through our representative offices. Further, we have presence in overseas markets through a network of GSAs and PSAs covering other countries enhancing our global presence.

Note

Cox and Kings (India) Limited is proposing, subject to market conditions and other considerations, a public issue of its equity shares and has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (“DRHP”) with the Securities & Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). The DRHP is available on the website of SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in and on websites of the BRLM at www.iiflcap.com.

This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any equity shares, nor shall it or any part of it nor the fact of its distribution form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or investment decision. Any potential investor should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk. For details, potential investors should refer to the DRHP filed with the SEBI including the section titled “Risk Factors”. The Equity Shares of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act 1933, as amended or any state securities laws in the United States. This announcement has been prepared for publication in India and may not be released in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in any jurisdiction, including the United States, and any securities described in this announcement may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.


For further details contact:

Thomas C Thottathil, Head - Corporate Communications;
9820191042; thomasct@coxandkings.com

Praneeta D’Souza, Manager - Corporate Communications;
9820958528; praneeta.dsouza@coxandkings.com