The assessment that there is a steady, increasing flow of tourists from abroad, was expressed by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Christos Zannettou, adding that the occupancy rate of the hotels is 30-40%.
Speaking to KYPE, Mr. Zannettou said that "there is a steady, growing flow of tourists, especially from the Russian market, and flights from the United Kingdom are expected this week, organized by the country's major travel agents. We hope that there will be a significant increase in tourist arrivals throughout Cyprus. "
Answering a relevant question, Mr. Zannettou said that "at the moment almost all the big hotels in Ayia Napa are open and in operation, however there are some small complexes in the center of the Municipality that are still closed. The occupancy of hotels is about 30 - 40% ".
Asked to indicate whether the competent bodies of Ayia Napa are satisfied with the tourist traffic so far, compared to 2020, the Mayor said that "no comparison can be made. However, if things continue to grow, then there is optimism, which is expected to increase both from arrivals from the British market and from the arrivals of tourists from some Scandinavian countries.
He added that "Ayia Napa is also boosted by domestic tourism on weekends, which is a stimulating injection for both hotels and other similar services. At the same time, however, everyone realizes that even if the occupancy of hotels reaches 30-40%, there are few people who move around, so that similar services can work ".
Everyone knows, he continued, "that a large percentage of tourists stay in hotels with the well-known all-inclusive, something that unfortunately deprives similar services of a lot of work. At the same time, in the center of Ayia Napa, which was known to be based on the youth, there is a mobility, but things are not so good, since it is very difficult to support these companies ".
Asked to comment on rumors according to which a portion of tourists arrive in Cyprus for holidays with fake vaccination certificates, negative PCR or rapid test or safe pass, the Mayor of Ayia Napa said that "such a thing has not been confirmed. We consider it a pleasant fact that from the coronavirus tests performed on several thousand tourists and not only in the province of Famagusta, the percentage of positive results is not high ".
He also noted that "due to the control that is done to tourists who arrive in Cyprus from Larnaca airport, but also to the tests that are done to the permanent and visitors of the area, the people who circulate with fake certificates are very few. We believe that especially tourists will not risk traveling for holidays with fake certificates, with the risk of being restricted in case they are found to be positive for the coronavirus ".
Mr. Zannetou wished "to continue to be observed both individually and by companies and employees, but also tourists, the protection measures against coronavirus, because this will keep the area of Ayia Napa and not only, open to tourists . "Our hope is that the hotel units and all similar services will continue to operate, both with foreign and local visitors, at least until the end of October," he concluded.