Cyprus Tour Guides Association Calls for Creation of Tourist Police

The Cyprus Tour Guides Association emphasizes the need to create a tourist police force to control illegal tour guides who operate without a license from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. The association's president, Lelia Mylonas, stated in an interview with ΚΥΠΕ that this phenomenon harms both the profession and the country's image.

Mylonas noted that despite the relevant legislation, sufficient checks are not carried out. Illegal tour guides, according to complaints, make references against the Republic of Cyprus, characterizing the occupied territories as a "Turkish region."

The Association reports such cases to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, but there is a shortage of inspectors. Penalties for illegal practice of the profession amount to 1,000 and 2,000 euros, but are rarely applied.

Mylonas also referred to the seasonality of tourism and the limited impact of artificial intelligence on the profession. She noted that the war in Ukraine has affected Russian-speaking tour guides.

There are approximately 400-450 professional tour guides in Cyprus. A new tour guide school operates at MIEEK, with approximately 35-40 students. Ahead of World Tour Guide Day, the Association is organizing a free tour of the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.