The President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, has become the first president to officially support Global Wellness Day, a non-profit initiative that promotes free-of-charge wellness activities across the world, set to take place this year on 11 June.

“Cyprus, as an authentic wellness destination itself...offers 326 days of generous sun per year, long relaxing sandy beaches, lush nature to explore and a vibrant hospitality culture, could not but be part – and an important component – of Global Wellness Day,” President Anastasiades said in a message.

“In this respect, it is my pleasure to confirm that the Cypriot spa and wellness professionals are massively saying yes to Global Wellness Day, with fun and original activities across the country, concluded by festive events on the waterfront at Limassol,” he continued.

Local government officials in several countries – including France, India, Lithuania, the US and Spain – have leant their support to the cause, but this is the first official support at the presidential level.

“It’s a great achievement – it’s a milestone,” said Jean-Guy de Gabriac, international coordinator of Global Wellness Day, who is also CEO of Belgium-based spa training and consultancy company Tip Touch International. “Global Wellness Day really wants to be an agent of change and transformation.”

Cyprus GWD ambassador George Tavelis also recently gained the support of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the mayor of Limassol.

This year’s theme is ‘Wellness for Everyone,’ and there are currently more than 3,000 properties across the globe with activities planned. The event will pay tribute this year to popular wellness industry figure Charlene Florian – former chief creative officer of Kerstin Florian International – who died in March. To honour and commemorate her, Global Wellness Day founder Belgin Aksoy has dedicated GWD 2016 to Charlene Florian’s legacy.