Cyprus’s tour guides are calling for the creation of a tourist police force to tackle unlicensed operators, warning that unchecked illegal guiding is damaging both the profession and the country’s international reputation.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency ahead of World Tourist Guide Day on 21 February, Cyprus Tourist Guides Association president Lelia Mylona said the profession remained highly vulnerable because “anyone can pose as a tour guide” despite existing legislation. Enforcement is inadequate, she said, with tours being conducted without a licence from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
The consequences go beyond the profession itself, Mylona said. In some cases, unlicensed guides have been found to make inaccurate or damaging references about the Republic of Cyprus, distorting the visitor experience and undermining the country’s credibility.
The association files complaints with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism when such cases are identified, but understaffing hampers on-the-ground checks and the pursuit of prosecutions. Fines of between €1,000 and €2,000 are provided for under the law and are considered a deterrent, Mylona said, but their effectiveness depends entirely on enforcement.
The association is calling for a tourist police force to be incorporated into the national tourism strategy, pointing out that countries heavily dependent on tourism already have dedicated enforcement mechanisms in place.
Beyond illegal guiding, the sector also faces the challenge of seasonality. Initiatives such as inland tourism programmes and Christmas village events have helped ease the problem, Mylona said. On artificial intelligence, she said it was a useful tool but could not replace the authentic experience offered by a professional guide.
Around 400 to 450 professional tour guides are currently active in Cyprus. A new two-year training programme is running through private colleges, covering languages including Polish, Italian and Hebrew.
To mark World Tourist Guide Day, the association will hold a free guided tour of the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.
Read more: