CEO Ayia Napa Marina: How Cyprus will become an international marina destination

cache 1920x1080 Analog medium 245329 108290 2542020 AyiaNapaMarina, Nea Ammochostos, Marina Agias Napas, Nea Famagusta, Stavros Karamontanis

Cyprus is in its infancy as an international destination for marinas, while with the appropriate developments that have been wheeled, our country can become a service hub for boats in the Eastern Mediterranean. This he points out in an interview with InBusinessNews, o Stavros Karamontanis, CEO of Ayia Napa Marina and Vice President of the Cyprus Mariners Association, who refers to the measures that should be implemented in order for Cyprus to become a competitive international destination for marinas.

What are the benefits for the Cypriot Economy and Cyprus in general if our country becomes an international destination for marinas?

Cyprus is not recognized or included in the main international Yachting destinations. We are, therefore, practically a new opening to the international markets for Marinas, still in their infancy. In conjunction with the self-evident fact that the development of marinas and related operations presupposes the Public Private Private Partnership (PPP), a jointly targeted strategy must be pursued to achieve the common goal, ie the consolidation of Cyprus, as a serious naval destination. It is incomprehensible that in such a case, the consequent effects will be multifaceted and in various ways positive and the profit will be a given for everyone (individuals - public - social partners).

The multiplicity of benefits can be well illustrated in the example of Ayia Napa Marina. A project that today has completed its first phase - ie Port Works and Infrastructure and is ready to receive boats - has absorbed funds to date of € 175 million, with a net inflow of foreign capital exceeding € 150 million One realizes the magnitude of the benefit, before even considering the other beneficial effects reflected in new jobs, additional taxation, the enrichment and diversification of the tourism product, the boost of the construction industry, the upgrading and providing opportunities to the local community, etc. In the project in question, the final investment will exceed € 320 million, while in similar projects, such as the Limassol Marina, more than € 350 million have been invested. and in Paralimni an investment of around € 110 million is expected.

The above developments, you realize that have as a pillar and cause our geographical position, which we hope can be properly redeemed, in order to form a service hub for boats in the Eastern Mediterranean.

If the new marinas of Paphos, Larnaca and Paralimni are built, how complete will the ecosystem of Cyprus be? Will Cyprus now be considered a remarkable destination for boats and yachts?

The Association of Marinas welcomes the implementation strategy for the construction of other Marinas, e.g. Paralimni, Larnaca and Paphos, since in order to become a remarkable naval destination we must create many berths along with integrated support infrastructure. Only then will we be able to dynamically enter the map of the desired destinations. Boat owners want to have marina choices in the countries they intend to visit. This is not only for the sense of security that the neighborhood of Marinas brings in the form of shelters / berths (ideally to have a Marina every 50 nautical miles), but also for the generation of new destinations through the variety in this area that can provided by the country.

Furthermore, the state must also provide the appropriate incentives and institutional facilities that will make us a preferred destination for foreigners, incentives offered by other competing destinations either inside or outside Europe, otherwise any of our efforts are in immediate danger of falling into the void.

Once the policy for the development of Maritime Tourism has been given and formulated, then all stakeholders, private and public sector as well as industry authorities, Ministries and relevant services must understand and implement this strategy. Obviously, however, the main responsibility for the implementation and realization of the strategies and goals rests with the final Ministry. It is his clear responsibility to implement his portfolio, while at the same time he must drive and support any supportive actions that need the approval of the Parliament, having the final regulatory and decisive speech together with all political parties.

But first we must recognize all our weaknesses and without complexes, to identify the opportunities that are created, to respect the foreign investors who have trusted us or will trust us, to have a stable policy of promoting common interests with all social partners without lagging behind. to put aside populism and put above all the prosperity of our place.

So there are two directions. On the one hand, that of the incentives that will attract foreign investors to participate in the call for bids and on the other hand, that of the incentives on the basis of which there will be uninterrupted and continuous marketing of products and services.

Read the full interview on InBusinessNews by clicking HERE

Source: InBusinessNews