Policy Aims
Our aim is to contribute significantly, through the offer of self-sustained, economically, socially and environmentally sensible services, to the better appreciation and ultimately to the conservation of Cyprus heritage, while maximising the level of authentic experience and the value of our services to/for the traveller.
Economic responsibility
We employ local service providers, especially with regards to accommodation, alimentation, people’s transfer as well as luggage transfer because we believe that an economic benefit of our operations to the local communities through which our itineraries pass, gives a direct incentive to the local communities to protect their heritage. If this heritage deteriorates, so does the quality of our services (as well as the standard of living of all of us).
At the same time we strive to use local content in our services as much as possible since by definition an ‘authentic experience’ is about local content (which includes living communities) instead of imported one.
Furthermore it is in our operation’s interest to employ local people because in many cases local costs would be lower, at least with relation to fuel and time costs and because as a rule the cost of living in rural areas (where most of our services focus) would be lower than the one in urban centers, reflecting to more competitive pricing for our services.
Environmental responsibility
We make a best effort and encourage our counterparts to make a best effort in conserving energy and resources (from minimising the use of printing paper to using energy saving technology in accommodation and more) since it is in our best interest, locally and globally.
By definition we operate in a subsector that combines Cyprus rich cultural history, with the island’s beautiful nature, varied landscape and its flora and fauna. Many of our routes are related to different habitats, that include nearly 150 endemic plants and 50 orchid species, nearly 400 bird species, the endemic moufflon subspecies and the griffon vulture, as well as sea turtles that use Cyprus as feeding grounds for much of the year and for reproduction. We encourage our visitors to enjoy wildlife by spotting it without disturbing it. We emphasise the value of wildlife to local service providers in an effort to convince them that its protection is in their best interest.
Phivos Ioannides who is the owner of the operation, has been separately involved in efforts whose purpose is either to restore or promote and ultimately protect the island’s flora and fauna:
Our aim is to contribute significantly, through the offer of self-sustained, economically, socially and environmentally sensible services, to the better appreciation and ultimately to the conservation of Cyprus heritage, while maximising the level of authentic experience and the value of our services to/for the traveller.
Economic responsibility
We employ local service providers, especially with regards to accommodation, alimentation, people’s transfer as well as luggage transfer because we believe that an economic benefit of our operations to the local communities through which our itineraries pass, gives a direct incentive to the local communities to protect their heritage. If this heritage deteriorates, so does the quality of our services (as well as the standard of living of all of us).
At the same time we strive to use local content in our services as much as possible since by definition an ‘authentic experience’ is about local content (which includes living communities) instead of imported one.
Furthermore it is in our operation’s interest to employ local people because in many cases local costs would be lower, at least with relation to fuel and time costs and because as a rule the cost of living in rural areas (where most of our services focus) would be lower than the one in urban centers, reflecting to more competitive pricing for our services.
Environmental responsibility
We make a best effort and encourage our counterparts to make a best effort in conserving energy and resources (from minimising the use of printing paper to using energy saving technology in accommodation and more) since it is in our best interest, locally and globally.
By definition we operate in a subsector that combines Cyprus rich cultural history, with the island’s beautiful nature, varied landscape and its flora and fauna. Many of our routes are related to different habitats, that include nearly 150 endemic plants and 50 orchid species, nearly 400 bird species, the endemic moufflon subspecies and the griffon vulture, as well as sea turtles that use Cyprus as feeding grounds for much of the year and for reproduction. We encourage our visitors to enjoy wildlife by spotting it without disturbing it. We emphasise the value of wildlife to local service providers in an effort to convince them that its protection is in their best interest.
Phivos Ioannides who is the owner of the operation, has been separately involved in efforts whose purpose is either to restore or promote and ultimately protect the island’s flora and fauna:
a) Vikla Reforestation Experiment
Since 1998, and especially from 2006 onwards, he carried out a Reforestation experiment on private family land. The land is on a hill, has a surface area of 7 hectares and it is found in a Natura 2000 area, in the Xeros Potamos valley, close to Paphos. The vision behind this project is to reforest the land using indigenous species, in an efficient manner that minimises human intervention and in a way that will possibly also yield some economic benefit, thus providing an example of environmentally friendly use of land for others to follow. In 2006, after fencing the plot, we planted young trees that are indigenous, mostly wild olives and hawthorn, as well as a number of pines, oaks and cypress trees. Out of a number of about 3,000 small trees that we planted (in a very irregular, random formation) about 1,000 survived. In 2013 we planted hawthorn seeds (it seems that planting hawthorn treelings is not a very successful practice so we tried seeds, which seem to be easier to propagate), strawberry tree seeds as well as acorns. All these species are found in the area, which especially in the last couple of centuries suffered from significant deforestation, that led to some extent to erosion problems. In June 2013 there was a major wildfire in the area that resulted in our plants being burnt. In subsequent visits (from spring 2015) we observed that most of the olives and hawthorn are back to life with new shoots. The problem is that as the fence deteriorated through time now it is possible for illegal grazing to take place. Thus, the trees survive but unfortunately do not grow. Our reforestation experiment is presented through its dedicated website.
We hope to construct ecological beautiful micro house(s) in the plot that would act as a base for visitors wanting to explore this beautiful area and its rich cultural heritage (chapels, watermills, a medieval bridge, a deserted stone-built village and more). It would be an ideal refuge for those who want to experience overnights in a pristine environment with excellent vistas, for those who seek serenity, and especially for those who want to explore the area on foot or by bicycle.
Since 1998, and especially from 2006 onwards, he carried out a Reforestation experiment on private family land. The land is on a hill, has a surface area of 7 hectares and it is found in a Natura 2000 area, in the Xeros Potamos valley, close to Paphos. The vision behind this project is to reforest the land using indigenous species, in an efficient manner that minimises human intervention and in a way that will possibly also yield some economic benefit, thus providing an example of environmentally friendly use of land for others to follow. In 2006, after fencing the plot, we planted young trees that are indigenous, mostly wild olives and hawthorn, as well as a number of pines, oaks and cypress trees. Out of a number of about 3,000 small trees that we planted (in a very irregular, random formation) about 1,000 survived. In 2013 we planted hawthorn seeds (it seems that planting hawthorn treelings is not a very successful practice so we tried seeds, which seem to be easier to propagate), strawberry tree seeds as well as acorns. All these species are found in the area, which especially in the last couple of centuries suffered from significant deforestation, that led to some extent to erosion problems. In June 2013 there was a major wildfire in the area that resulted in our plants being burnt. In subsequent visits (from spring 2015) we observed that most of the olives and hawthorn are back to life with new shoots. The problem is that as the fence deteriorated through time now it is possible for illegal grazing to take place. Thus, the trees survive but unfortunately do not grow. Our reforestation experiment is presented through its dedicated website.
We hope to construct ecological beautiful micro house(s) in the plot that would act as a base for visitors wanting to explore this beautiful area and its rich cultural heritage (chapels, watermills, a medieval bridge, a deserted stone-built village and more). It would be an ideal refuge for those who want to experience overnights in a pristine environment with excellent vistas, for those who seek serenity, and especially for those who want to explore the area on foot or by bicycle.
b) www.natureofcyprus.org (2003 - 2017)
From 2003 until 2017 our website on Cyprus nature, flora and fauna and natural attractions provided Cyprus nature info to many hundreds of thousands of visitors. The project was developed bicommunally. It offered visitors in depth information on virtually all 400 or so bird species found in Cyprus, almost 400 selected out of 2,000 plant species, the 30 mammal, the 25 reptile and 50 representative of the few thousands of mushroom species found on the island. The website also hds information on 200 selected Cyprus natural attractions such as beaches, walking routes, wetlands, waterfalls, sea caves, natural monuments,
very old trees), etc. The website was searchable and has many thousands of photos. It is trilingual (Greek, Turkish and English) and thus aimed to inform both inhabitants as well as visitors. In view of the rapid expansion of online sources related to Cyprus nature the website completed its life cycle by 2018.
Social responsibility
Our services are all about ‘authentic experiences’. We believe that Cyprus advantage compared with many other destinations stems from the combination of beautiful and varied nature, rich cultural heritage, a moderate climate and security. Preserving local culture is a core part of our mission and a thriving local culture that builds on society’s heritage (eg Cyprus cheese and Cyprus traditional cuisine in general) adds value to our services. As a rule we use local accommodation establishments run by families and restaurants offering Cyprus food. Besides providing a direct benefit of our services to local service providers, we believe that the interaction with locals is something that many travellers desire. Where possible we include visits to local plants, especially wineries, some of which are on purpose directly on some of our itineraries.
From 2003 until 2017 our website on Cyprus nature, flora and fauna and natural attractions provided Cyprus nature info to many hundreds of thousands of visitors. The project was developed bicommunally. It offered visitors in depth information on virtually all 400 or so bird species found in Cyprus, almost 400 selected out of 2,000 plant species, the 30 mammal, the 25 reptile and 50 representative of the few thousands of mushroom species found on the island. The website also hds information on 200 selected Cyprus natural attractions such as beaches, walking routes, wetlands, waterfalls, sea caves, natural monuments,
very old trees), etc. The website was searchable and has many thousands of photos. It is trilingual (Greek, Turkish and English) and thus aimed to inform both inhabitants as well as visitors. In view of the rapid expansion of online sources related to Cyprus nature the website completed its life cycle by 2018.
Social responsibility
Our services are all about ‘authentic experiences’. We believe that Cyprus advantage compared with many other destinations stems from the combination of beautiful and varied nature, rich cultural heritage, a moderate climate and security. Preserving local culture is a core part of our mission and a thriving local culture that builds on society’s heritage (eg Cyprus cheese and Cyprus traditional cuisine in general) adds value to our services. As a rule we use local accommodation establishments run by families and restaurants offering Cyprus food. Besides providing a direct benefit of our services to local service providers, we believe that the interaction with locals is something that many travellers desire. Where possible we include visits to local plants, especially wineries, some of which are on purpose directly on some of our itineraries.