He is one of the youngest Mayors of Cyprus. Giannis Karousos, despite his 38 years, has managed to connect his name with the most successful, to date, course in the history of Ayia Napa. For those who know him well, they can talk about a persistent character and a smart personality who knows well the secrets of tourism but also how to transform his city from a destination of "cheap tourism" of the 90's, to a city that today is an "apple of contention" for internationally renowned investors.
Giannis Karousos on the occasion of its opening Famagusta.News speaks exclusively and reveals to us the works of Ayia Napa, his plans, if he would run for a third term as Mayor and in which city he would live apart from Ayia Napa.
Interview curator: Marinos Pavlikkas
In the last decade, Ayia Napa did not have the best image, as it was famous for a low quality type of tourism. Do you think that has changed now?
Undoubtedly the image of Ayia Napa in recent years has changed for the better. Since 2013, when I took office for the first time as Mayor, we have prepared a plan, a strategy, called "Integrated Tourist Experience". This means that our goal is for every tourist who visits our city, to have gained so many positive experiences, to take a little Ayia Napa with him on his return.
The situation that existed before 2013 was not what today we want to call "Integrated Tourist Experience". Our Strategic Plan aims to generate repeat visitors. So we improved a lot of things and created infrastructure and benchmarks.
To make Ayia Napa the best and most cosmopolitan tourist resort in the Mediterranean.
What is this infrastructure and what new projects can we expect in the future?
We created parks and monuments trying not to stay focused only on the well-known "sun-sea".
We created the Sculpture Park, the Cactus and Succulents Park, the Environmental Center in Cape Greco, the Lovers' Bridge, the celebrity square, the farmer's square, the artificial reef and much more.
Regarding the future projects, we intend to transform the former camp site in Agios Nikandros into a park called "Little Cyprus" by constructing a miniature of Cyprus according to the standards of a similar miniature of Europe that exists in Brussels. Urban Planning Permit for the amphitheater in Kokkines area will be issued soon, we expect the completion of the plans for the environmental renovation of the Center, which will reduce the temperature by 2 degrees and improve accessibility, the renovation of the Medieval Monastery of Ayia Napa will begin soon, designs for pier construction to be able to approach cruise ships, while we will create themed beaches with the landscaping of our beaches.
Regarding the beaches, it is worth noting that with the undertaking of its management by the Municipality, in addition to the revenues, many problems in the field of service were improved. Now there is uniformity and more security.
Today we are pleased to say that almost 95% of our hotels are partially or completely renovated, while being able to offer all services to their tenants.
At the same time, however, you were lucky since due to the increase of tourism, the entrepreneurs of the hotel sector, have started to invest more in its units.
It is a fact that with the Urban Motivation of 20% Ayia Napa will acquire 15 new hotels, while 22 businessmen have applied for the conversion of their apartments into small boutique hotels. At the same time, we have set restrictions as in some areas only the construction of four or five star hotels is allowed. Today we are pleased to say that almost 95% of our hotels are partially or completely renovated, while being able to offer all services to their tenants.
You also take the issue of security in the city seriously. Based on the recent cases of clearing accounts and murders in the city, you have said in the past that you will proceed with the installation of a monitoring circuit in the center of Ayia Napa. How do you go about this idea?
I must mention that the Police have completed their study on the matter. It remains to be forwarded to the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection and we hope that soon in Ayia Napa 121 cameras will be installed in the center, in main points but also at the entrances and exits of the city.
How do you comment on the fact that lately Ayia Napa has been the "apple of contention" for investors?
It is true that after the investment of 220 million euros by the Egyptian tycoon Nagib Sawiris, there is a strong interest for other investments in our city. The marina in combination with the 15 new hotels, as I mentioned before, the conversion of 22 apartments into boutique hotels in the city center, the golf course in Cape Greco, all this will contribute to a change of identity in our city.
You are also the first Mayor who dared to deal with All Inclusive
It is true that we are the first local authority to dare to address this issue. In 2013 we organized a conference aimed at educating entrepreneurs in the tourism and food sector. Unfortunately it is an irreversible trend and it depends on the local authorities whether they will offer enough competitive experiences in their city so that the tourist wants to get out of the hotel.
Is it true that there is interest from a well-known University for operation in Ayia Napa?
It is true that a well-known University of America has expressed interest in moving its headquarters to Cyprus and operating as a Cypriot University. It is one of the most well-known schools in America and so far has shown interest in building a large higher education unit in the area "Red" and will initially operate with four departments, with the aim of creating more departments, but it is a school of business administration. , marketing, accounting, hotel studies and more. So far the Government has expressed positive views and soon we will be able to see if the project is implemented. This project is considered particularly important as infrastructure will inevitably be created for more than four thousand students who will live in the city all year round.
We are in consultation with the most famous and world-famous sculptor who has created the most famous sculpture parks to proceed with the formation of the artificial reef
Also, is it true that a famous artist will take over the craft of the underwater sculpture park?
The truth is that so far we are in consultation with the most famous and world-famous sculptor who has crafted the most famous sculpture parks to proceed with the shaping of the artificial reef, a work announced by the President of the Republic during the recent announcements of works in the free last September. We wait until May when we will have an answer from the artist.
What is your opinion on the relocation of AXIK?
First of all, I believe that AXIK has no place in Nicosia. The Higher Hotel Institute must and must be located in a coastal tourist Municipality, whoever it is and I believe that the province of Famagusta with more than 47% of the contribution to the economy from tourism is the first that AXIK must claim.
How many hours a day are you in the office?
I must say that I am not the Mayor of the office. You will see me in my office for very few hours. I usually go out on the streets, day and night to see the problems of the city up close.
Will you be a candidate for Mayor for the third time?
It's too fast for me to say that.
Member of Parliament?
The same answer. Everything is in my thoughts. On the one hand there is the fatigue for the huge workload, but on the other hand there is also the will for what I want to offer.
If you did not live in Ayia Napa, what city would you like to live in?
In Santiago de Compostela in Spain which is a wonderful medieval city or in Paris where I stayed for two years during my studies.
A personality that inspired you?
Kikis Konstantinou for his love for Ayia Napa and for his endless vision and appetite.
Your vision in a proposal?
To make Ayia Napa the best and most cosmopolitan tourist resort in the Mediterranean.
Famagusta.News