This year's tourist season begins with optimism and good omens, with the competent tourist agencies characterizing it as a "record year" in tourist arrivals both throughout Cyprus and in the area of free Famagusta. In particular, a 20% increase in arrivals in the Ayia Napa and Protaras areas is expected, while in Cyprus the estimates speak of an increase of 10%.
A 10% increase is expected in Cyprus
More specifically, the estimate that in 2016 there will be a general increase of 10% in tourist arrivals across Cyprus compared to last year's tourist season, was expressed by the Tourist Officer of the Cyprus Tourism Organization Mr. Doros Georgiadis.
Mr. Georgiadis stated that the increases in tourist arrivals are expected from all markets. "We expect increases from all markets but the largest increases will be observed from the markets of Russia and England."
Specifically regarding the Russian market, Mr. Georgiadis stated that a 20% increase is expected throughout Cyprus, while regarding England, the increase is expected to be around 10%. The positive thing is that increases in arrivals are observed outside the peak period and this is very important.
20% increase in Ayia Napa and Protaras
This year is expected to be quite a "strong" year, in terms of tourist traffic both in Cyprus and especially in the province of free Famagusta, said the president of the Famagusta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, George Mavroudis.
Mr. Mavroudis stated that the estimates of tourist arrivals during this year's tourist season amount to 2.8 million nationwide.
Regarding the province of free Famagusta, Mr. Mavroudis stated that so far there has been a slight increase in arrivals. Based on the reservations there will be an increase of about 20% compared to last year's corresponding tourist season.
Both England and Russia mentioned, they are important markets for Cyprus and they are the ones who prefer free Famagusta as their destination. "Unfortunately, there are no significant arrivals from Central Europe," he added.
What concerns us, Mr. Mavroudis stressed, is the issue of quality tourism. He added that all the competent bodies should be concerned and that we should try with a proper strategy to achieve a balance of quality and mass tourism in the province of free Famagusta.
"The combination of a large number of arrivals and quality tourists is the best mix. The province of free Famagusta needs both ".
Asked by capital.com.cy what projects are underway to enrich tourism in the region, Mr. Mavroudis said that both the marina of Ayia Napa and the marina of Paralimni will have their own strategic importance and he expects that attract maritime tourism and will automatically boost the region's economy.
"Specifically, the works for the construction of the marina in Ayia Napa are expected to start in September and will be completed within the next three years. "I want to hope that with the completion of this project, there will be an increase in tourism in the region during the winter months," he said. He also added that the renovation of the coastal front of Ayia Napa is a very important project to attract more tourists to the area.
Motivation is the very good prices of hoteliers for domestic tourism
Motivation for the Cypriots to choose this year the tourist resorts and hotels of the province of free Famagusta are the prices given by the hoteliers, said the Director of Tourism PASYXE of the province of Famagusta Mr. Lakis Avraamidis.
"This year started very well in both Ayia Napa and Protaras. The prices given by the hoteliers this year are very good and for this reason we expect an increase in the reservations of domestic tourism. It is an incentive for Cypriots to choose Ayia Napa and Protaras. We are optimistic that the revenues will be better than last year ", added Mr. Avraamidis.
Ongoing projects
Many projects are underway and are expected to be completed in order to attract more tourists and upgrade the area.
Both the marina of Ayia Napa and the marina of Paralimni will be the most important projects in the area and are expected to enrich and upgrade the tourist product of the area.
• Ayia Napa Marina
Specifically, within September 2016, the works for the Ayia Napa marina are expected to start. According to the schedules, the port works for the marina will take three years to complete.
What will it include
The marina will include “villas, apartments, restaurants, bars, shops, cafes, boutiques and various shops. The marina itself will be able to serve 600 boats from 10 to 60 meters long, while it will be able to provide supporting work, ie small repairs and repairs ".
The cost
This is a project of 250 million euros, which will include commercial and residential developments with a total area of about 30.000 square meters, administrative offices of 2.000 square meters and about 850 car parking spaces.
During the construction of the Ayia Napa marina, it is expected that 800 jobs will be created, with the majority of the employees consisting of residents of the area, while another 350 jobs will be created for its operation ".
• Paralimni Marina
Paralimni Marina is another important tourist infrastructure project for the province of Famagusta and will be built in the area of the fishing shelter Agios Nikolaos, in Paralimni. According to the Mayor of Paralimni, Mr. Theodoros Pyrillis, this is a project of the order of 110 million euros.
It will have a capacity of about 300 boats and will include residential and commercial developments. It is estimated that its total cost will be around 65 million euros (25 million berths - 40 million residential and commercial development).
• Formation of the Coastal Front of Agia Thekla in Sotira
An important project is the shaping of the entire coastal front of Agia Thekla. The project, which is expected to cost around 5 million euros, is heading towards the bidding phase.
Other works
Mr. Pyrillis also reminded the announcement of the Minister of Agriculture for a tender in the next two months for the water project Kokkinokremmos, saying that the project will solve the water supply problems that the whole province has and possibly future service of the city of Famagusta. good returned to us. We will gain self-sufficiency of our water needs for 48 hours while today we have self-sufficiency only two hours.
He also said that bids are announced in less than a month for the extension of the boulevard on April 1 at the junction with the Stadium, a project worth 2 million euros. Connection of Ayia Napa with the residential and commercial area of Paralimni.
The coastal pedestrian street of Protaras added that it is evolving and lengthening. This is a project of 3,5 million euros, 33% of the amount will be allocated by the Municipality and the rest by state programs.
Regarding the urban development project in the Perneras area that has started three months ago, he said that the works during the tourist season are done far from tourism.
According to the mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Giannis Koursaros, great efforts are being made in the area to complete all the other projects under construction in the area.
The renovation of the coastal front of Ayia Napa with a budget of 6,5 million euros is at the stage of announcing bids by the Department of Urban Planning and Housing. The restoration of the Ayia Napa Monastery with a budget of 1,5 million euros, is expected to be announced in three months.
Mr. Karousos referred, among other things, to the restoration of the Cape Greco landfill with a budget of 2,5 million euros. "A problem we have had for decades, which has been completely remedied," he said, adding that "a few days ago, about 26.000 trees were planted." The Cape Greco Environmental Center with a budget of 2,5m euros has been completed, he said.
He went on to say that the artificial reef of Ayia Napa, which was the only reef in Cyprus without sinking a ship after movements, was donated to the ship Kyrenia of the navy that has been decommissioned and has been sunk for this purpose.
At the same time, the program for the reduction of organic waste in the tourist areas in Ayia Napa and Paralimni is running with a budget of 6 million euros.
Finally, he referred to the regeneration of the Liopetri river, saying that the goal is for the first phase worth 3,5 million euros to start in the coming months.
Source: SotiraNews / Capital.com.cy / Georgia Konstantinou