In a full interview with StockWatch, which is quoted in its entirety below, the mayor of Ayia Napa, Christos Zannettos, is in favor of the completion of the controversial project concerning the construction of the monastery of the metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta in Kavo Greko.
Specifically, he is in favor of completing the construction of the monastery, which began illegally and without obtaining the necessary permits, in the area of Cabo Greco that falls under the Natura 2000 network.
To support his position, he refers to geopolitical and strategic rearrangements in the region, in terms of churches and occupied territories.
In the first interview since his election as mayor of the new scheme that includes the municipal departments of Sotiras, Liopetriou, Avgorou, Achnas and Ag. Napa, Christos Zannetos refers to the phenomenon of noise and noise pollution as the most serious problems plaguing the area and gives his views on how to solve the problem once and for all.
The mayor of Ayia Napa acknowledges illegalities, mainly on the part of hoteliers, regarding, among other things, the abuse of the construction rate, pointing out, however, that these are old cases for which the municipality has been in court for four years.
At the same time, however, he points out that the illegalities in restaurants, beer bars and shops are timeless and calls on the government to modernize the relevant legislation on the basis of the data prevailing in Cyprus, so as to put a definitive end to the allalum of illegalities.
At the same time, he explains why this year the occupancy rates of hotels in the area are higher compared to the bookings for apartments and Airbnb-style accommodation, speaking of a very good tourist season, for the opening of new higher quality markets, but also an increase in tourist flows from various European countries. Mr. Zannettu highlights the need to maintain this new momentum for the region.
He also states his position on the EOA's request to collect the entire amount from the issuance of town planning and building permits and refers to the priorities of the new scheme.
He refers to the revenue that the municipality of Ayia Napa collects every year from the exploitation of the beaches and describes his vision for the new scheme that includes two municipalities and three communities, speaking of excellent cooperation between the five departments.
This is the interview of the Mayor of Ayia Napa
Of Iros Efthimiou
Hotels "stole" tourism from Airbnb
Q. How is the current tourist season going compared to last year?
A. Occupancies in the hotels in the area are very high, maybe slightly better than in 2023, but also the similar businesses such as the breweries, restaurants and other shops I believe are very satisfied, because this year our mix consists of all tourist classes. But the problem is located in the central region of Ayia Napa, in tourist apartments and in apartments rented through Airbnb-type platforms. And that's because hoteliers due to the negative circumstances in recent years, which resulted in them losing Russian and Ukrainian tourists and subsequently decreasing tourist bookings from Israel, hoteliers offered very attractive packages, which tourists clearly took advantage of. This created costs for the tourist complexes, because they have reduced occupancy compared to other years.
This year we see a shift towards a qualitative increase in tourists from Brittany, Scandinavian countries, Poland, Germany and France, so all hoteliers and businessmen must realize that we have a lot to do to keep this quality tourism because we deserve it. Our area has the best hotels and the best beaches.
Q. Was the loss of the Russian and Ukrainian market finally covered?
A. It is very encouraging that within two years we managed to cover 45% of the tourism pie which was the loss of Russians and Ukrainians from the markets we have already mentioned. As part of the upgrade of our tourist product, we have taken measures to address the nuisance problems caused by large displacement and four-wheeled motorcycles, the well-known "pigs".
Q. Regarding the so-called "pigs" is there any thought to limit their movement in the Cabo Greco National Forest or other protected areas?
A. It is not up to us whether or not "pigs" will be banned. This measure can only be implemented by decrees from the competent ministry and the police. We are not in favor of such a thing, on the contrary we agree to strict policing so that traffic is limited to sightseeing in Cape Greco and the other historical sights and not for fun and drifting, which young people like to do. That is why we have placed signs in various places.
Illegalities in tourism businesses.
Q. The area is often accused of illegalities, either for building factor violations by hotel units, or for interventions in Natura 2000 areas. Do you intend to put a "knife" on the poor of the area?
A. I should point out that these are older cases of extensions and other illegalities. The previous council reacted to a particular illegal case and today we are still in court with the company. However, I believe that all illegalities or irregularities by hoteliers and not only, will be resolved through the enactment of a legislation that will directly enforce the law. So far it doesn't exist. From the first day of the election I had sent the message to correct the illegalities because they will face justice. But on the other hand, we have to deal with the perennial illegalities and irregularities committed by restaurants, shops and beer bars. Decade-old legislation should be modernized. To make deep cuts adapted to the data of Cyprus, especially today with climate changes. To allow coffee shops uniform canopies or even enclosed terraces to protect from the sun, heat and humidity, so that they do not create unsightly facilities on their own, otherwise they cannot operate.
Monastery of Famagusta and Constantia
Q. What about the issue of the illegal construction of the monastery of Constantia and Famagusta, in a Natura area in the National Forest of Cabo Greco. How will you manage this issue?
A. This case is now under the authority of the Provincial Self-Government Organization. Personally, however, as an Orthodox Christian, I have to position myself and support the completion and realization of the monastery. To be evaluated with environmental parameters and to allow the completion of the monastery because it serves a social and humanitarian purpose. We see what happens to the churches in the occupied territories and the geopolitical and strategic rearrangements, so I argue that we should be bold and make some interventions for the survival of Hellenism.
Q. Was the municipality aware from the beginning that the monastery would be erected without the required permits?
A. No, the issue came to our attention after the work had begun. We immediately sent a letter for the termination of the works and in a meeting with the Diocese of Constantia and Famagusta we concluded the termination of the works which were already at an advanced stage.
Q. What do you consider to be the most serious problems of the region?
A. I must mention that the most serious problems that afflict locals and foreigners are the noise and noise pollution which continues unabated even though new legislation has been passed. The problem could be solved legally by giving municipalities the power to impose extrajudicial and ex parte orders on those who do not comply. To close them in 24 or 48 hours so that we effectively deal with the problem.
The beaches are changing
Q. Lately we have seen the municipality of Larnaca remove the illegal mobile homes and mobile homes from the beaches. Do you detect similar illegalities?
A. Only isolated incidents with a small number of huts, some of which are on forest land, so we will look into how to remove them. In the meantime, the municipality of Ayia Napa has proceeded to upgrade all the beaches by replacing the beds in the shade of sand, while the umbrellas are also being replaced. Especially this year there is a crowd on our beaches and we have not had any complaints about guest service. We have created new parking spaces on three beaches so that people do not get reported for illegal parking.
Q. The management of the beaches, how much revenue does it bring to the municipality annually and where is it channeled?
A. They amount to more than €4 million per year, which are part of our budget. The budget of the new municipality, including all five municipal apartments, currently exceeds €22 million. And if it is calculated that only from one municipal apartment we have lost the revenue from water supply and building permits, an amount of €6 million. , so overall all revenues are part of financial management. Our goal is the implementation of projects in all municipal departments with an emphasis on upgrading projects and solving problems that plague ordinary citizens and their quality of life, and then on the implementation of large projects.
Q. What are your first moves to give the impression that you are not only the mayor of Ayia Napa, but of the entire scheme that includes the municipality of Sotira, the communities of Liopetriou, Avgorou, and Achnas.
A. I signaled my intentions for this from the beginning and was elected with almost 55%. I have proven that I am straightforward, honest and that whatever I say I will do. But if I can't, I will state it boldly, something that the residents of the area appreciated because people want deeds and not words. When I was head of the scheme for two years, after Ayia Napa had been determined as the seat of the new scheme, I had the responsibility of implementing the reform and I cooperated with absolute respect with all five local lords, setting as a priority the development of a large municipality, with vision and perspective for our residents and children. Also, I have to remind you that in 2020 when I assumed the duties of mayor we managed the pandemic crisis in a municipality that is 95% economically based on tourism, as well as the two difficult years of the loss of the Russian and Ukrainian market and managed in four difficult years to implement projects of the order of €35 million.
New taxes and permits
Q. What is your position in relation to the pending issue with the Provincial Self-Government Organizations (POAs) who are requesting to collect the full amount from building permits and planning permits?
A. I think that the municipalities should not lose their income because their income has already shrunk enough, although I recognize the need to support the EOAs. However, in the event that the entire amount will be granted to the EOAs, the percentage that the municipalities will lose will have to be replaced with sponsorship to enable them to implement their work.
Q. How do you deal with the possibility of new taxes?
A. The people are not raising any more tax increases they are fed up. It needs prosperity and support to be able to cope. I recommend a uniform economic policy from all municipalities.
Q. How do you find the golden ratio in terms of power-sharing with deputy mayors?
A. I have not removed any power from any deputy mayor. We are in full agreement and in daily contact. Each deputy mayor undertakes initiatives to support the mayor for a single municipality. My vision is to create a single municipality that supports tourism, agriculture, livestock and crafts for the benefit of all citizens. The projects that we have set high in our priorities and we will ask for the support of the state is the upgrading of the Technical School which will provide the opportunity for the young people who finish the Technical School to enrich their knowledge and claim a better position in the hotel industry by offering the their services in the food industry where there are huge shortages and demands. As well as the evolution of Deryneia-Paralimni hospital into a University center.