The promotion of a circular economy in hotel establishments in Cyprus aims to overhaul traditional business models to embrace sustainability and resource efficiency. This investment initiative targets the hospitality sector, focusing on transforming hotels to operate within a circular economy framework. The scheme comprises several key components, including comprehensive business diagnostics to assess current practices, specialized training programs, and tailored coaching sessions to guide hotels through the transition. The first phase of the scheme involves at least 50 hotels, ensuring a broad impact across the sector. Additionally, a minimum of 18 hotels will be certified as circular, showcasing their commitment to sustainable practices.

The terms and conditions governing this scheme were meticulously reviewed by the Technical Committee for the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) schemes and the RRP Coordinating Authority, ensuring robust standards and effective implementation. Following the Council of Ministers’ approval on April 20, 2022, the scheme was officially launched on April 28, 2022. This launch marked the beginning of a concerted effort to embed circular economy principles within the hotel industry, promoting practices such as waste reduction, resource reuse, and overall sustainability. This initiative not only aims to enhance the environmental performance of hotels but also to set a precedent for sustainable tourism practices in Cyprus and beyond.