SWOT ANALYSES OF CYPRUS

HERBS- MEDITERRANIAN DIET

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT/  Herbs were used by locals in various aspects of their everyday life, • Weak startup scene
AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, without being experts.
• Lack of local entrepreneurial ICH culture
MINING/INDUSTRY  Herbs are still used for pharmaceutical reasons (headache,
stomachache, sore throat, …) cooking (for the aroma and the taste), • Awareness of the importance of own ICH
ENTREPRENEURSHI/ CREATIVE teas and beverages and to preserve food. Also for traditions and • Lack of scientific partners (universities,
INDUSTRIES customs, for example in church rituals. other institutions of higher education) to
 People collect herbs on their own from the mountains develop modern distribution tools and
 The cultivation is easily accessible to the locals. Over the years there channels (e.g. app-based information, e-
has been large increase in the promotion and selling herbs. commerce guidelines, etc.)
 In some villages there is a development of cultivating herbs. • Lack of instruction in schools as to the
importance of ICH.
 Mostly women involve
 Botanical parks have been created in order to firstly cultivate • Weak connection between Cultural &
lavender and other herbs and secondly to attract people learn more Creative industries (CCI) and public
about herbs and buy some products. authorities and inadequate development
conditions (legislation, financing, EU funding
 Local entrepreneurship culture programs)
 Funding from the government and EU
LOCATION/ROUTES • Close to the mountains and sea • Poor public transport
 • Transport routes (motorway) connection in rural
areas
HERITAGE/TOURISM • Annual cultural events and festivals small villages all over • Lack of promotion
Cyprus
• Marketing and advertising to access
• Natural areas & landscapes (mountains, plain, sea, saltlake) national & international markets
• Many touristic hotspots in the surrounding area (Cyherbia
Botanical Park is closed to Ayia Napa tourist area Lazarou Park
is closed to Asinou Tangible Heritage site, current UNESCO
World Heritage site)
• Sports and leisure tourism (snow, sea, air sports)
LOCAL IDENTITY • Long standing tradition
• Tradition and regional identity as a source of creativity
• Processes for further positive development of the region
 OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT/  Enhancement of local food and beverage product • Enduring economic crisis
AGRICULTURE,  Enhancement of organic products • Economic recession in governmental budgets
ENTREPRENEURSHIP  Alternative distribution channels (online sales of regional, global • Difficulties in perceiving the area as tourist
market development) attraction
 Interest in partnerships and cooperation
• Bad demographic conditions
 Development of cross-border cooperation
 New perspectives and innovations of the younger generations in the
fields of startups and apps
LOCATION/ROUTES  Sustainable public mobility • Worsening of road conditions, lack of maintenance
 New cycle paths and routes networking
HERITAGE/TOURISM  Development of environment and community-friendly tourism • Natural disasters: fires, floods, very high
temperatures
 Cultural and tradition-based initiatives
LOCAL IDENTITY AND  Support of civic initiatives • Lack of cooperation/coordination between local
COMMITTMENT and regional authorities.