Ecclesiastical calm prevails in Ayia Napa due to the coronavirus at the beginning of the new tourist season and according to Mayor Christos Zannetto, many businessmen have not decided whether to open hotels, restaurants, bars and other establishments.
Speaking to KYPE, Mr. Zannettos said that "for the first time since I was born, except in 1974 and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, I see in Ayia Napa such a situation with tourism, the economy and in general with closure of businesses and restriction of public circulation due to the coronavirus pandemic. There is an eerie silence and calm throughout Ayia Napa and there is frustration not only in Cyprus, but in the whole planet in general ".
He added that "businessmen in Ayia Napa are waiting for the decisions and decrees of the government, which will be announced today after the meeting of the Council of Ministers, in order to decide what to do. We already know that some entrepreneurs will open their premises, however, there are many that will not work, due to the seasonality that exists, as a result of which the issue of viability of specific companies is raised ".
Mr. Zannettos called on "everyone to wait for the decisions of the President of the Republic and accordingly to decide what to do with their businesses. The Municipality of Ayia Napa, where and where it can, will support any business and the world so that they can operate to secure an income ".
Answering a relevant question, the Mayor of Ayia Napa said that “because of the coronavirus, there will be a change in lifestyle all over the world. "People, due to the limitation of their movements, are now accustomed to e-government and communication and these are expected to be part of our later life in the future."
Asked whether the Municipality of Ayia Napa will consider the possibility of reducing municipal taxes on hotels and businesses operating in the tourism sector, at least for this year, since it seems that several hotels in the area will remain closed, Christos Zanettos replied that "everyone hoteliers are in great trouble and are evaluating the data. In the context that will be allowed by the government, we will take the appropriate decisions with the ultimate goal of Ayia Napa being a protagonist in the tourism sector in 2021, to continue to have the financial strength it had until today and to support the local and national economy".
However, he noted that "assessing the situation and seeing what is happening in Britain and Russia, which are two of the largest markets in Cyprus in the tourism sector, hoteliers and businessmen are in a dilemma whether to open or remain closed. "Many hoteliers already think that it is not in their interest to open for a month or two, as this will have financial consequences for both the hotels and their working staff."
According to the Mayor, “the Municipality of Ayia Napa has regular teleconferences with the Municipal Council about what is to come, however we should expect the decisions that will emerge on the whole issue, from the processes carried out by the Union of Municipalities in cooperation with the Ministry Interior. Within the legal framework that will allow us, Ayia Napa will move to support in every way possible both businesses and households ".
Famagusta.News