Viktoras Mantovanis, Honorary President of the Cyprus Travel Agents Association, answered five topical questions about Ayia Napa and tourism in the newspaper Phileleftheros and Antigoni Solomonidou Drousiotou.
Read the following:
1. Is Ayia Napa internationally exposed as a den of illegality after a 19-year-old British tourist was reported for gang rape by a group of 12 Israelis?
These are events that are fortunately soon forgotten by the general public. Of course, this does not mean that they have to happen.
2. Did the mayor of the city refer to the climate of lawlessness that prevails in the city related to tourism?
He is not wrong. But Ayia Napa is in my opinion one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. Its features attract, especially July and August, young people and things were worse a few years ago. The golden section must be found. These "lively" young people of today will be the heads of families of tomorrow who will want to return to where they have their youthful memories.
3. He warned that lives could be lost due to the prevailing lawlessness.
Unfortunately no one can rule this out.
4. Uncontrolled sale of alcohol from kiosks, mass distribution of drugs, such as laughter gas, on the streets of Ayia Napa?
Stricter policing is definitely needed, but it must be done discreetly. The presence of a large police force in uniform can create a sense of insecurity among the peaceful tourists, who are the majority, and bring negative results rather than rectify the situation.
5. How does the image change?
"Clubbing" is a type of tourism that we should not underestimate but find ways to control. We must first achieve a better mix of tourists by attracting young people from countries such as France, Italy and Central Europe. This way we will avoid the presence of only two or three nationalities that feel empowered and misled. Then, since the mayor talks about lawlessness, let him look to improve the tourist product of Ayia Napa by simply enforcing the laws (illegal parking, clutter, plastic signs, dirt, etc.). Luxury hotels alone are not enough to attract quality tourism.
Source: Liberal
