About 800 civil weddings in the Municipality of Ayia Napa and around 600 have been planned for this year in the Municipality of Paralimni, a fact that particularly satisfies those involved in this industry, while giving a boost to tourism in the region for 2021.
Following the announcement that Cyprus may receive vaccinated British tourists from May, there has been an increased demand in the municipalities of Ayia Napa and Paralimni for civil weddings, which were postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As Ayia Napa Mayor Christos Zannettou stated in KYPE, "within 2021 there are planned around 800 civil weddings out of the approximately 1200 that take place in a normal year. "Unfortunately in 2020 there was a postponement of marriages due to the coronavirus pandemic resulting in a large percentage to be transferred for this year."
He added that "taking into account the effects of the pandemic on all countries of the world Covid-19, the number of couples who have closed their marriage in Ayia Napa, is considered satisfactory. However, if there is some control in the coronavirus pandemic this year so that people can travel, we expect that the number of civil marriages in our area will increase ".
He added that "about 80% of bookings for civil weddings are from Britain, but we expect bookings from other traditional Ayia Napa markets, Russia, Lebanon and the Nordic countries, to be available soon."
In general, he continued, "there is a moderate optimism that from June onwards there will be enough tourism, at least in Ayia Napa, since vaccinations both in Cyprus and abroad, especially in markets such as Britain, are proceeding at an intensive and rapid pace. "Once there is a reduced number of cases in both vulnerable groups and other groups of the population, then people will be able to make reservations for their holidays."
Answering a relevant question, Mr. Zannettou said that "at the moment everything is fluid, but we expect and are convinced that the tourism sector in Ayia Napa and in Cyprus in general, will be in a better position than last year. "We hope that when the tourism industry starts to move, due to the vaccinations in countries from which we receive tourism, such as Britain and Russia, the people will continue to arrive on our island for holidays until November."
For his part, the Mayor of Paralimni, Theodoros Pyrillis, stated that "the issue of wedding tourism is a very important part that stimulates both bookings and the economy of the place in general, because it is an area where there is use of several services, including photographers. florists, hairdressers, taxis and restaurants ".
Mr. Pyrillis expressed satisfaction "for the fact that many couples who had planned their wedding for 2020, carried it for this year and even for next year. "There is an increased number of bookings for civil weddings and we believe that this will also serve as a driving force for a better tourist season this year."
Answering a relevant question, the Mayor of Paralimni said that "the bookings for weddings that we have after June, mainly from Britain, amount to around 600, while this number is constantly increasing. "The important thing is that the demand for civil weddings continues in the coming years," he said, noting that "the fact that the couple is usually accompanied by their parents and friends, ie about 30 or more people, must be taken into account."
To another question, Mr. Pyrillis answered that "all the Municipalities in Cyprus, including Paralimni, have proceeded to upgrade and even create new venues for weddings. The important thing is that even Cypriots want to have their wedding in chapels in the area of Protaras, a fact that satisfies us a lot ".