The Cyprus Guides Association is calling for better control of illegal tours and wants a tourism police to be created. They warn that unregulated activities by unlicensed people hurt the profession and the international image of Cyprus.
In an interview with KYPE, ahead of World Tourist Guide Day on February 21, the association’s president, Lelia Mylona, said the profession is very vulnerable. She pointed out that “anyone can pose as a guide” even with existing laws. She added that inspections are insufficient, allowing tours to happen without a license from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
Lelia Mylona explained that the problems affect not just industry professionals but also visitors. She mentioned that sometimes there are inaccurate or harmful reports about the Republic of Cyprus, which can ruin the tourist experience and damage the country’s reputation.
The association files complaints with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism when they spot these issues. However, understaffing makes it hard for them to conduct inspections and move cases through Justice. While fines between €1,000 and €2,000 are meant to deter offenders, their success relies on proper enforcement.
The association suggests adding a tourism police force to the national tourism strategy. They highlight that countries that depend heavily on tourism have special control systems in place.
Besides illegal tours, the sector also struggles with seasonality. Initiatives like inland programs and Christmas Villages help ease this issue. Regarding artificial intelligence, the association’s president said it can be a useful tool but can’t replace the authentic experience provided by professional guides.
Currently, there are about 400–450 professional guides working in Cyprus. A new two-year study program through MIEEK offers courses in languages like Polish, Italian, and Hebrew.
This World Tourist Guide Day, the association will host a free tour at the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia to encourage public interest in cultural heritage.
