The RiNNOVATE conference, with the theme “The future of regional development”, focused on transformative strategies and innovative solutions for the Famagusta region. The Forum was held on June 29, 2024, at the Ayia Napa Marina. The project/conference aimed to bring together policy makers, industry experts and academics to explore and discuss opportunities to enhance the region’s economic, technological and social landscape. The conference was under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry and the Ignite Group. InterNapa College participated as a main research partner and tourism expert organization. The research focused on tourism product differentiation of the free area of Ammochostos. Dr George Markatos led the research project, as a Head of the School of Hospitality, and he contributed through his insightful research and presentation as a keynote speaker, to the conference.
In his keynote presentation, Dr. Markatos identified several critical issues and opportunities within the tourism sector. He emphasized the absence of a long-term strategic vision and highlighted the lack of political will as a major barrier to the implementation of effective tourism policies. While he acknowledged the positive trajectory of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, he argued that its impact remains limited due to insufficient autonomy and flexibility in decision-making. Dr. Markatos also pointed to a broader cultural gap, noting the lack of a well-established tourism culture, which he sees as an impediment to the industry’s development. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in the sector’s human capital, praising the competence and professionalism of tourism executives and staff. Importantly, he stressed the need to bridge the gap between academic research and industry practice, advocating for the application of research findings within the hospitality field to drive innovation and enhance service quality.