(TODAY's Sunday 28/5/2017):
In 2019, the marina welcomes the first boats.
The project includes a mooring marina for 600 boats up to 60 meters, 11 coastal villas and 18 villas, which have their own anchorage, with 12 being built on an artificial island.
Commercial developments include shops, cafes, restaurants and yacht clubs, while the reference point in the marina area will be the Event Center, a conical glass building, which will house cultural exhibitions, concerts, receptions and other events.
The construction works for the implementation of the grandiose project of the Ayia Napa marina are progressing at an unabated pace. This is the largest private investment to be implemented in the province of Famagusta and one of the most important for our country, since in addition to the benefits of development of 220 million euros, another port of entry is created in the Republic of Cyprus.
Five years after the signing of the agreement with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, the construction projects, which started in November 2016, are already at an advanced stage. 80% of the embankment has already been completed, while by 2019 the Ayia Napa marina is expected to receive the first boats.
The project includes a mooring marina for 600 boats up to 60 meters, 11 coastal villas and 18 villas which have their own anchorage with the 12 being located on an artificial island. An impressive design element, undertaken by the American architectural firm SmithGroupJJR, specializing in the construction of seaside projects, are the two twenty-six-storey towers that will house a total of 190 luxury one- to four-bedroom apartments. These two towers will be the trademark not only for the marina but for the whole of Ayia Napa, for the sake of their impressive design which is influenced by the folds of the Caryatid fabrics, while at the same time they create the feeling of movement due to the visually rotating their volume.
Commercial developments include shops, cafes, restaurants and yacht clubs, while the reference point in the marina area will be the Event Center, a conical glass building, which will house cultural exhibitions, concerts, receptions and other events.
Stavros Karamontanis: "Ayia Napa marina is a lever for growth"
According to the CEO of "MM Makronisos Marina Ltd", Stavros Karamontani, by June 2019 the marina will be ready to accommodate the first boats while the entire project with residential and commercial developments will be completed in October 2021.
Mr. Karamontanis also did not fail to emphasize the fact that the completion of the Ayia Napa marina project will upgrade the area and the tourist product, thus acting as a lever for the development of, as he said, the local economy. while strengthening the image of Ayia Napa as a quality destination for investment and tourism.
Ayia Napa Mayor: "The marina is the beginning of overall development"
The Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Giannis Karousos, also commented on the great importance and role of the investment in "S". As he mentioned, the Ayia Napa marina is undoubtedly the most important infrastructure project not only for Ayia Napa but also for the whole province of Famagusta, since it is a new official entry point into the Republic, with all the benefits that this entails. At the same time, as he said, this is a project that will attract different categories of visitors but also an increase in traffic since the infrastructure is created for 1500 additional permanent residents in the area.
Mr. Karousos also stressed the fact that the marina and the building facilities create a new image for Ayia Napa. He also referred to the fact that the Municipality of Ayia Napa benefits from the development through promotional campaigns abroad, while, as he said, the fact of the participation of the Egyptian multi-millionaire businessman Naguib Sawiris in the project, gives further credibility to the investment.
Regarding the opportunities created by the investment of 220 million euros, of the marina of Ayia Napa, Mr. Karousos did not fail to mention that the project will be the beginning of overall development in the area but also an occasion for a gradual change of the image of the Municipality. Commenting on the ratification of the casino license in Limassol by Melco-Hard Rock, Mr. Karousos told "S" that Ayia Napa should be the first choice in terms of creating a regional casino, due to the first, as he said, in percentage of nights but also due to the fact that in the designs of the marina there is provision for a luxury hotel which could accommodate a casino.
Intense interest in hotels and golf course
As revealed by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, lately there is a strong interest which is observed for new investments in the area. He said that this interest is focused on securing permits for the construction of four and five star hotels, while there is a great response from apartment owners located inside the center to convert them into boutique hotels, which will significantly enhance the image of the Municipality.
Of great importance, he said, is the progress observed in the submission of a serious proposal for the creation of a golf course with a luxury resort in the area of Cape Greco. He also revealed the fact that the Municipality of Ayia Napa is ready to submit a serious proposal for the creation of a conference center on the border of Ayia Napa, Paralimni and Sotira, which will contribute to attracting conference tourism but also to extend the tourist season.
Source: TODAY / Marinos Pavlikkas