A heated online dispute erupted between the president of the Famagusta Regional Tourism Authority, Yiannis Karousos, and the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, over the opening hours of pharmacies in the Ayia Napa area.
See the post by Yannis Karousos
I'm returning once again to the issue I raised about the closed pharmacies in Ayia Napa, at a time when we are being flooded with tourists.
Initially, Mr. Koumis, like most ministers in the Christodoulides Government, is not tolerant of criticism and I advise him to accept criticism, it may help him become more effective.
Regarding the issue of pharmacies, let's talk about the substance, can Mr. Koumis tell us publicly what recommendation his Deputy Ministry has sent to the Ministry of Health regarding the tourist season? Did he inform us that he considers the tourist season to be from May to September? Yes or no?
So the Christodoulides Government considers, for example, that in April and October there is no tourism in the region.
Now on to the personnel in what he mentions.
I record that in the last three years I have addressed the Deputy Minister of Tourism publicly a few times and always with substantial suggestions for tourism. Suggestions that, if he had the will, the country's tourism would come out victorious. He will soon have a proposal before him for the construction of a grand landmark in our province and we will see the support he will give.
To this day, he fails to realize that any progress in tourism, as in other sectors, is the result of continuous efforts and hard work initiated by previous governments.
As for the EOA, the results of the recent elections and the first months in the District Organization have solemnly refuted it. The narrative that it would not function smoothly under my Presidency has proven to be false and misleading. The EOA operates from its headquarters in Paralimni and our cooperation with the Mayors is exemplary.
In fact, we are institutionally pressuring the Government to return the responsibilities. Not for personal gain, of course, but so that we can meet the expectations of the citizens who honored us with their trust. With actions, not words. With political positions, not with narratives.
PS1: Perhaps ultimately what really bothers me is that I now serve the Democratic Alarm as Vice President. Not opportunistically, but with consistency and a clear stance. I supported our party's candidate until the end. I did not betray my choice and my party, as some did for personal gain...
PS 2: I NEVER delete comments. They're all there..
PS 3 The Deputy Ministry of Tourism must have a say and an opinion on everything related to tourism.
I'm waiting to see what he will do about this matter.
See Kostas Koumis' post
Mr. Yannis Karousos,
As someone who has served as a Minister for more than three years, you should know that the state operates on the basis of competences.
I am not surprised that you do not know it and that you do not understand it as you should, and I do not wish to explain it.
From the first day I was appointed Deputy Minister of Tourism, you tried by every means and in every way to beat me.
With shameless lies and misleading-false arguments.
In June 2023, with continuous posts and public statements, you tried in every way to belittle the new government, and especially me personally, and to convince ordinary citizens and businesspeople in the industry that they were facing a bad tourism year.
You didn't think responsibly, as you should have as a former Mayor and as a former Minister, that this might cause panic in some people, with what this implies for a businessman.
I consciously decided not to answer you. I kept my cool. I thought you were still bitter about the elections. For me, the good of the country was paramount, and I was simply giving answers as I should about the course of tourism. I thought that your mud would last for a very short time.
I was verified.
The course of tourism did not give you many rights to continue this baseless and immoral criticism. This was also contributed to by the fact that you decided to run for election and realized that you were not allowed to accuse me, especially in OUR PLACE.
Tonight, you decided to accuse me of another issue, which does not fall within the competence of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, which as a Deputy Ministry we do not even participate in the institutionalized consultations, regarding the opening hours of Pharmacies. You have acted once again, CONVENIENTLY.
You obviously thought you finally found an opportunity to hit me again. After all, the elections are over, and since we don't give you any opportunities through tourism, you chose another topic, which you know very well is not within our competence.
It's okay. We learned you. Everyone knows you.
PS1: The people voted for you to serve an entire District and a newly established institution that may need additional effort to get up and running and function effectively.
Please serve the institution and the responsibility you have taken on and stop shouting that it doesn't express you and doesn't interest you, and that your priorities are different now.
Our country needs us all, and it also needs a SPIRIT OF COOPERATION.
Petty politics, shameless accusations, lies and mud belong to other times.
PS2: When you take a position on an issue, accept the other point of view. This also applies to Social Media. Deleting any response, especially from the person you accuse, does not characterize people who present themselves as ambassadors of democratic principles and values.
