Crowne Moments 2018-2019 by Crowne Plaza Limassol, Cyprus

INVEST CYPRUS CYPRIOT WOMEN MAKING WAVES HEALTHY LIVING

ISSUE 7 | 2018-2019

Saga Boutique 1 36, Georgiou A’ Street Limassol Tel. +357 25 313126

Saga Boutique 2 Makariou III Ave. Maximos Plaza, Limassol Tel. +357 25 582820

Saga Outlet 83, Georgiou A’ Street Limassol Tel. +357 25 321839

OFFICIAL MONO-BRAND STORES LIMASSOL

230, Arch. Makariou III Ave. 205, Arch. Makariou III Ave. Tel. +357 25 029400 Tel. +357 25 025577

205, Makariou III Ave. 36, Georgiou A’ Str. Tel .+357 25 020082 Natia House Tel. +357 25 028788 PAPHOS

Kings Avenue Mall | Tel. +357 26 020069

CONTENTS ISSUE 7 | 2018-2019

Welcome from the General Manager The new hotel façade The renovated sea view ballroom IHG news: welcoming Voco, Regent and Kimpton to the family

05 08 10 16

BUSINESS

Invest Cyprus: a European haven of opportunity Cypriot women making waves

24 28

LIFESTYLE

Fashion: this year’s hottest trends Healthy living: a nutritionist’s guide to eating a healthy breakfast

32 38

CULTURE

“Now that the world has become an endless hotel”

NEWS!

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

LIMASSOL CALENDAR

Celebrating success: Star Awards 2017 Team news: introductions, promotions and accomplishments IHG Foundation Week IHG Celebrate Service Week

50 52 54 56

Limassol calendar

Dear Guests Another year has gone by characterised by change, success and plenty of lessons learned... In 2017 Cyprus enjoyed a phenomenal year with tourist arrivals reaching an all-time high of 3.65 million. Spurred on by this success, Cyprus and Limassol in particular, has continued to reinvent itself on its quest to become the main cosmopolitan hub for international business in the Eastern Mediterranean. Encouraging the start-up ecosystem and fostering new investment opportunities are a vital part of this new era of modernisation. To discover more about investment opportunities in Cyprus, refer to pages 24 - 26. At the Crowne Plaza Limassol our aim is to offer our guests a consistently best-in-class experience, and we are delighted to announce that we were named Luxury Business Hotel of the Year for Cyprus in 2017 by the Luxury Travel Guide. We also received a TripAdvisor Excellence Award for a sixth consecutive year and made the Limassol Top 10 list on TripAdvisor. Keeping up with the times by tracking the latest developments in technology and trends in hotel design is an essential part of delivering on our challenging, best-in-class vision. To this end, during the first quarter of 2018, the hotel faĂ§ade received a face-lift and we inaugurated the brand new Crowne Plaza Limassol ballroom, a state-of-the-art sea view meetings and events facility. We hope you love our new look and would be delighted to give you a personal tour of our renovated ballroom. More information about our renovation projects can also be found on pages 08 - 12. I am also proud to say that, in 2017, we took important steps forward in our commitment to doing business responsibly. We are currently preparing to receive our accreditation for implementing the SIR 2014 Model. Part of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sound Industrial Relations - Contemporary Enterprisesâ&#x20AC;? project which is co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Social Fund (ESF), the SIR 2014 Model is a tool for understanding and implementing Cypriot labour legislation and practices, focusing on employment law and integrating a number of proven best practices in areas such as occupational health and safety and the promotion of equality in the workplace. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you - our valued guests and patrons - for trusting us, supporting us, and inspiring us to realise our vision. We promise to work hard to continue being your hotel of choice when visiting Limassol. Petros Pierides General Manager

NEWS

A NEW LOOK “When I was presented with the opportunity of revamping the hotel façade, I knew from the outset that it had to be something other than flat. Limassol is currently undergoing a period of ambitious transformation, and this particular locale has seen its fair share of change. The Oval across the road – one of the first new era high-rise buildings in Limassol – has become a powerful symbol of the city’s modernising aspirations. It is also important to remember that as a brand, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts is contemporary, social and fun, intended for the modern business traveller. In designing the new façade, I felt that we had to create an identity that would capture this spirit, while simultaneously complementing the interior refurbishment of the hotel and being true to the existing building which was constructed back in the late seventies. My imagination was activated by the selection of a suitable material that could be manufactured off-site and installed quickly, so as to minimize the impact on hotel operations. Once ALUCOBOND® was chosen, the textural element which characterises the hotel façade was then developed quite organically, as we followed some of the existing lines of the front elevation and carried them across to the side elevations. We selected a glossy, luxurious white colour for the ALUCOBOND® panels, so as to make the most of the wonderful light we enjoy in our part of the world. If you observe the façade at different times of the day, you will notice that it changes constantly as different light scenarios activate the textural 3D elements. During the day, the façade is a luminous white canvas on which the surrounding trees project their image. By contrast, the low slanting sunrays at dusk give the façade a soft golden hue, while at night the artificial up-lights create a far more vivid and dramatic effect.” Chris A. Alexandrou | Interior Architect 8

THE SEA VIEW

BALLROOM

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE INTERIOR ARCHITECT

Chris A. Alexandrou Interior Architect 10

The project brief was no easy feat. We wanted to create a clean and contemporary space that would capture the imagination of every discerning guest and stand the test of time. Seeing the finished product today I believe we have realised this vision, having created a harmonious venue that offers guests the possibility to personalise the space and give their event a distinctive character.

LIGHT From the very beginning it was clear that the key to unlocking the transformation of the ballroom was light. The venue needed to be made as bright as possible, and after several months of researching possible solutions, we found a brand-new technology that fit the bill. We installed three upward sliding glass panels between the ballroom and the foyer, which not only afford the venue an abundance of natural light, but a magnificent sea view of the sea and hotel gardens. The panels have a slim-line aluminium profile which maximises the glass surface of the panels and serves to magnify the view.

LUXURY Another important aspect of the design brief was to create an aura of understated elegance and luxury. A sumptuous Axminster carpet was custom-made for the Ballroom in a neutral colour palette of grey frost, infinity shale and charcoal. Vistosi chandeliers were chosen to adorn both the Ballroom and the adjoining Suite Sea. A total of seven mouth-blown â&#x20AC;&#x153;puppetâ&#x20AC;? round and linear crystal pendants are suspended from the ceiling, imbuing the venue with the desired feeling of opulence.

The ballroom columns are clad with Crema Marfil marble to produce the impressive grand colonnade effect guests experience when entering the ballroom. The centre of each column, as well as the contemporary cornices, were then embellished with lustrous silver leaf.

ARRANGE A VIEWING E: FUNCTIONS@CPLIMASSOL.COM T: +357 25851515

THE BALLROOM 430M2 OF RENOVATED SEA VIEW EVENT SPACE

YOUR WEDDING 14

IHGÂ® NEW

OPENINGS

IHG opens 1000th hotel in the EMEAA region. InterContinentalÂŽ Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort opened its doors in June 2018, making it the 1000th IHGÂŽ (InterContinental Hotels Group) property to open within the Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA) region. This remarkable property is located on the pristine Phu Quoc Island, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, off the southwest coast of Vietnam.

VOCO Reliably different voco is the latest upscale addition to IHG’s brand portfolio. Inspired by the meaning ‘to invite’ or to ‘come together’ in Latin, voco will combine the informality and charm of an individual hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a global hotel group; the security of a bigger brand, without the vanilla experience. The roll-out of voco will begin in IHG’s Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa (EMEAA) region, with plans to take it to the Americas and Greater China over time, and to open more than 200 voco hotels in attractive urban and leisure locations. IHG has confirmed the first signing for the voco brand outside of Europe is the 388-room Watermark Hotel & Spa Gold Coast, located at the heart of Surfers Paradise in Australia, which is due to open under the voco flag in late 2018. The voco brand promises guests an experience that is reliably different, brought to life through a bold, distinctive identity, informal service style and thoughtful touches along the guest journey. Me time will be a defining characteristic of the brand, with extra cosy beds, quality bathroom amenities, aerated showers, a variety of viewing content on Smart TVs and excellent connectivity in every room, encouraging 18

guests to take a moment for themselves. More than just a hotel brand, voco life will focus on being sociable. With the creation of vibrant bars and lounges that work for different moments of the day, guests will always have space to relax, enjoy themselves and feel at ease. “We’ve talked about the significant growth opportunity we see for IHG in upscale and voco will help us deliver against this. We’ll work with owners of attractive properties, who appreciate the power and expertise that a global business can bring to the table. Guests will be able to enjoy the appeal of a more individual hotel, alongside the reassurance of a name above the door that they trust. The versatility of the brand, means a voco hotel can retain and celebrate all of the elements that make that existing hotel successful.” Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG

REGENT Simplicity, elegance and supreme comfort IHG’s acquisition of a controlling stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts in 2018 sent ripples of excitement through the luxury travel community. As one of the pioneers in defining luxury hotels both in Asia and around the world, there are few brands more beloved in the upper echelons of luxury hospitality than Regent, which was founded in 1971 by Robert Burns, Georg Rafael and Adrian Zecha. Regent hotels have always been iconic, perhaps none more so than the flagship Regent hotel in Hong Kong. When it first opened in 1980, the Regent Hong Kong heralded a new style of luxury hotel and set a new benchmark for the luxury hotel industry, as it emerged as an icon of timeless design and bespoke experiences.

With a portfolio of six hotels and three more properties in the pipeline, IHG has revealed plans to unlock Regent’s enormous potential. The vision is to accelerate Regent’s growth globally to 40 hotels in key global gateway city and resort locations, and to place the brand back on a pedestal, as the most admired luxury hotel brand in the world.

KIMPTON A different way to stay As the industry pioneer that first introduced the boutique concept to the US, Kimpton速 Hotels & Restaurants are renowned for making travellers feel genuinely cared for through thoughtful perks and amenities, inventive meetings and events, bold and playful design, and a sincerely personal style of guest service. Kimpton速 became part of IHG in 2015, with 62 hotels in the most attractive cities and resorts in the US, and a further 16 hotels in the pipeline. Since then the Kimpton brand has gone global. In 2017, the landmark Kimpton De Witt in Amsterdam became the first Kimpton hotel to open in Europe and the first outside the Americas, with a second Kimpton hotel scheduled to open in Paris in 2020. FUN FACT: The founder of Kimpton速 Hotels & Restaurants, Bill Kimpton, opened the Clarion Bedford Hotel in San Francisco in 1981. The idea behind this first hotel was simple: to create a place one could stay that felt more like a beautiful, liveable and stylish home than a big, impersonal hotel. The idea caught on and today boutique hotels are the hotel of choice for many travellers. But Kimpton速 is not just about hotels; exciting culinary propositions are part of

the Kimpton legacy. Trendy restaurants turned local institutions are the norm for Kimpton.

For more information on IHG hotels visit www.ihg.com

Anticipate tomorrow. Plan ahead. When it comes to funds, our strong local practice, along with the global professional and industry expertise we possess, place us in an optimal position to provide added value ‘one-stop’ service to our clients. Our fully integrated teams facilitate the process of setting up, structuring and operating fund vehicles and fund management companies through Cyprus. Christos Vasiliou Deputy Managing Director T: +357 22 209 113, E: cvasiliou@kpmg.com Antonis Rouvas Board Member T: +357 22 209 111, E: arouvas@kpmg.com Marie-Helene Angelides Senior Associate T: + 357 22 209 227, E: mangelides@kpmg.com kpmg.com.cy

©2018 KPMG Limited, a Cyprus limited liability company and member of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (”KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

BUSINESS

INVEST CYPRUS

THE ICON BY IMPERIO PROPERTIES

An Interview With Marios Giorgoudis

INVEST CYPRUS: A EUROPEAN HAVEN OF OPPORTUNITY What is Invest Cyprus? Invest Cyprus - also referred to as CIPA (Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency) - is the government’s dedicated partner responsible for attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in key economic sectors. Being the lead agent in establishing Cyprus as a world-class investment destination, Invest Cyprus proactively promotes the enhancement of the country’s competitive environment, advocating reform and maximising FDI for the economic and social benefit of Cyprus. Invest Cyprus is the investor’s first point of contact, and works in close collaboration with all government authorities, public institutions and the private sector.

What is your role at Invest Cyprus? I am an Investment Promotion Officer focused on the following growth sectors, as defined in our 2017-2020 strategy: “Innovation and Start-Ups”, “Information & Communication Technologies” and “Energy”. In the “Innovation and Start-Ups” space, I have dedicated a fair amount of time this year preparing for important

international summits which we attend in order to fulfil our mandate of promoting Cypriot start-ups. The Invest Cyprus team is responsible for running competitions and selecting the most promising/ suitable start-ups to attend events according to their field of innovation. Cyprus start-ups were represented at the Lisbon Web Summit (10 start-ups), the Israel Cyber-Tech Conference (2 start-ups), the Dubai Gitex Technology Week (6 startups) and the Hong Kong Rise Conference (3 start-ups).

Are there any success stories of which you are particularly proud? There are many success stories, but if I had to single one out it would be the part we played in bringing Sykes Enterprises to Cyprus. Sykes is one of the largest Business Process Outsourcing companies in the world. The US-based company was interested in opening a call centre in the Southern or Eastern Mediterranean as part of a European employee rewards scheme. The initial idea was to send their 30 top-performing employees to a warm and exciting destination on an eight-month secondment as a performance-based incentive. When they approached us, Sykes were also considering other Southern European jurisdictions, but the Invest Cyprus team presented a compelling argument in favour of Cyprus. Once they opened up shop here, Sykes saw greater potential and became impressed with the attractive work-life balance, optimal geographical location, competitive operating model and diverse, multi-lingual talent pool. Today, their operation has expanded to more than 80 fulltime employees, many of whom are Cypriot, with plans to further expand over the next few years.

Are there any growth sectors which you feel show particular promise? I am personally excited about prospects within the film industry. I believe the incentives we have proposed to draw filmmakers to Cyprus are highly attractive, and in some cases, the tax rebate reaches 35%, which is better than what other countries are currently offering. Our proposal is pending approval from the Attorney General which is expected soon. We are currently in the process of building a website for the filming ecosystem, and a photographer has already been engaged to photograph possible shooting locations in Cyprus which will be showcased on the website. In Q4 2018, we intend to host an event for 100+ film industry decisionmakers, which will include 26

a tour of the island and viewings of possible shooting locations. The sector is gathering momentum in Cyprus, and there has already been notable interest from Bollywood which is a huge deal considering that in 2016 India was named the leading film market in the world, with more than 2.2 billion movie tickets sold.

Marios Giorgoudis is an Investment Promotion Officer at Invest Cyprus. He holds an MSc in Civil Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, a PhD in Civil Engineering from the Cyprus University of Technology and an MBA from the Cyprus International Institute of Management. Marios Giorgoudis was formerly an Administrative AttachĂŠ to the Embassy of Cyprus in Israel.

..there is always a great company!

MEDCON CONSTRUCTION LTD

Tel. +357 22 265000 â&#x2013; Email: info@medcon.com.cy

CYPRIOT WOMEN

MAKING WAVES

Argyro Nicolaou Antonia Michailidi The Queen’s Young Leaders programme discovers, celebrates and supports exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth who are dedicated to making lasting change in their respective communities and beyond. In 2018, Antonia Michailidi from Larnaca was selected to receive this prestigious award for her exceptional humanitarian efforts. She has not only co-founded the Humanitarian Aid Programme (Cyprus) in support of refugees accommodated in Cyprus, but Antonia also volunteers for One Woman At A Time, a community organization which provides education and support to abused women in Cyprus, by advising them on their legal rights. Winners of the prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders award receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK, during which they collect their award from Her Majesty The Queen.

Established in 1791, the Bowdoin Prizes are some of Harvard’s oldest and most prestigious student awards. Designed to recognize essays of originality and high literary merit, the Bowdoin Prizes have been awarded to many notable Harvard students, among them the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, the former Harvard presidents Charles Eliot and Nathan Pusey, the novelist John Updike, and most recently to our very own Argyro Nicolaou. Born and raised in Nicosia, Argyro Nicolaou graduated with a first class degree in English from Trinity College, Cambridge. She went on to pursue a PhD in comparative literature at Harvard University, where she was selected as one of eight Harvard Horizons Scholars for 2018 and awarded the prestigious Bowdoin Graduate Prize in the English Language (2017-2018). The essay for which Argyro was awarded is titled: “Now that the World has become an Endless Hotel - European Narratives of Displacement in the Middle East during the Second World War.” Part of her essay is featured on pages 44 - 46. 29

Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, Managing Director of Limassol-based shipping company Tototheo Maritime, was included in the 2017 YoungShip Oslo/ NorShipping List of 10 Women to Watch in the shipping industry. The list includes 10 women under 40 who have shown a profound commitment to the shipping industry and its development. In 2017, Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou was elected President of WISTA International (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association). She is also a founding member and has served as President of WISTA Cyprus. On accepting her new role Theodosiou said: “It is an honour to take over the role of President of WISTA, supporting and serving an Association whose potential I believe in and support. We have an important role in the shipping industry and it is one we should embrace, remaining true to the values and identity that make us what we are.”

Katerina Gavrielidou If there is one list on which aspiring young people all over the world endeavour to be included, Forbes 30 Under 30 definitely tops the list! The Forbes 30 Under 30 list is an annual encyclopaedia of creative disruption featuring 600 young stars in 20 different industries. In 2018, Katerina Gavrielidou made the 30 Under 30 in Europe list for her work in Law & Policy. As the founder and president of the European Cyprus Society, Gavrielidou works to integrate Cyprus into European affairs and promote education as well as youth empowerment. In the past she has also served on the UN Habitat Youth Advisory Board, representing Europe between 2015 and 2017.

LIFESTYLE

Shirt, KARL LAGERFELD. Boy Bag, CHANEL, Trousers and sneakers, PHILOSOPHY

LIFESTYLE

FIERCE

ON THE CATWALK PASTELS Sweet yet bold pastel tones are dominating the catwalk for Spring/Summer 2018. Christian Dior, Valentino and Chanel have embraced this contrast to redefine feminine chic.

DRAMATIC RUFFLES What would life be without a little drama? Flat, predictable, a little dull perhaps? Balmain and Fendi have upped the antics this season with dramatic ruffles that are fun, fabulous and impressively voluminous.

ANIMAL PRINT

Animal prints are all the rage in 2018. Designers have incorporated quirkier prints in their Autumn/Winter collections including bold tiger stripes, snow leopard designs and zebra. Up your alley? Watch out for Marc Cain, Balenciaga, Calvin Klein, Bottega Venetta, Tom Ford and Givenchy on the runway.

SUBVERSIVE GLOSS Time to SHINE. Hip-hugging, high-shine fabrics such as vinyl, latex, plastic and leather are dominating the catwalk with quietly subversive looks from Balmain, Chanel, Simone Rocha and Fendi. Autumn/Winter 2018 is all about creating an aura of mystery and anticipation with a fetishistic edge.

LUXURY FRINGING Valentino, David Koma, Gucci, Loewe and ChloĂŠ have reinvented the wheel. Beaded and shimmering, this latest incarnation of fringing has a more refined aesthetic, and has resulted in some of the most fierce looks seen on the catwalk in 2018. 34

FASHION FINDER:

1. Dress, PHILOSOPHY. Bag, KARL LAGERFELD. Sandals, CHANEL, TIFFANY BOUTIQUE 2. BALMAIN/SPLASH BOUTIQUE, 3. & 4. MARC CAIN/SAGA BOUTIQUE, 5. VALENTINO/ SPLASH BOUTIQUE, 6. CHANEL/ TIFFANY BOUTIQUE, 7. BOUTIQUE MOSCHINO. Cosmetics bag, CHANEL/TIFFANY BOUTIQUE, 8. MARC CAIN/SAGA BOUTIQUE, 9. Dress, MARCHESA NOTTE, TIFFANY BOUTIQUE, 10. FENDI/SPLASH BOUTIQUE, 11. BALMAIN/SPLASH BOUTIQUE, 12. VALENTINO/SPLASH BOUTIQUE, 13. MARC CAIN/SAGA BOUTIQUE, 14. CHRISTIAN DIOR/ SPLASH BOUTIQUE, 15. DAVID KOMA/SPLASH BOUTIQUE, 16. BALMAIN/SPLASH BOUTIQUE 17. FENDI/SPLASH BOUTIQUE

BREAKFAST: KICK START YOUR DAY 38

Starting your day with a balanced and healthy breakfast will lead to a healthier lifestyle. Breakfast is without a doubt the most important meal of the day. Not only does it provide the energy you need to kick-start your day, but breakfast also offers a whole host of health benefits such as maintaining lower cholesterol levels and weight control. Studies have shown that eating a nutritious breakfast which contains vitamins and minerals can improve concentration, co-ordination and problem-solving skills, as well as offer greater endurance to engage in physical activities.

Eating breakfast is also a highly-effective method of weight loss. The time we spend sleeping is the longest period of time our bodies go without consuming any energy. After this period of nocturnal starvation, breakfast quite literally comes along to “break” the “fast”, jump-starting our metabolism and, in so doing, enabling our bodies to burn fat. Skipping breakfast on a regular basis can be harmful because it causes our bodies to maintain a lower metabolic rate which in turn reduces our ability to burn fat.

ADVICE FROM ANNA CORTESI: Registered Dietitian, Clinical Nutritionist

Quick & healthy breakfast Omelette 1 egg yolk 3 egg whites 25g of diced bell peppers 25g of diced tomato 25g of diced mushroom 1 slice of whole-wheat bread Smoothie Â˝ banana 3 strawberries 100g of low-fat yoghurt Chia seeds ------------------------------------------------

Vegan Breakfast Cooked Breakfast 50g of grilled or oven-baked mushrooms 50g of oven-baked new potatoes 50g of steamed spinach Oatmeal 150g of oatmeal Plant based milk (e.g. coconut milk, soy milk or oat milk) 30g of dried figs 4-5 cashews Mediterranean Pita Â˝ a Cypriot pita or 1 Greek pita Hummus spread 50g of sliced avocado

TOP TIP If you are not used to the idea of eating a substantial breakfast it may be difficult to adopt the habit at first because it is likely that you will not feel very hungry in the morning. I would recommend taking things slowly and eating small portions - a single slice of toast, a few spoons of yoghurt or a small fruit â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and then gradually increasing the quantity once you feel your appetite increasing.

Enjoy breakfast with a sea view! WEEKDAYS: 07.00 - 10.30HRS WEEKENDS: 07.00 - 11.00HRS

CULTURE

Thoughts On Shared, Transient Spaces

“Now that the World Has Become an Endless Hotel”:

If you are reading this, you are probably staying at the Crowne Plaza Limassol, or perhaps visiting the hotel for a few hours to attend an event or meet friends for drinks on the terrace. This experience is being shared by hundreds of other visitors, most of them strangers, with whom you might cross paths in the lobby, occasionally lock eyes at breakfast or greet in the elevator. You might very well be in what I call “hotel mode”: on pause, temporarily free from the routine of home, unmoored in a space of adventure and relaxation.

holidays) to the abstract and even the existential. Popular culture is awash with them: in music, think of The Eagles’ almost mystical Hotel California or Pitbull’s raunchy Hotel Room Service; in film, there’s the mellow, nostalgic tone of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) and the anxiety-inducing ambiguity of The Shining (1980). The shared spaces of hotels excite the imagination, whether it is in a joyful or a terrifying way.

Hotels are apt metaphors for a number of situations, ranging from the highly specific (such as your summer

If travel is voluntary, if it is for leisure and pleasure, then the encounter with strangers in the enclosed context of hotels is the symbol of freedom, of

escape, of excitement and adventure. For a writer like Lawrence Durrell (1912 - 1990), the hotels of Alexandria during World War II were the pinnacle of decadence, of an erotic relief in the midst of political and military tension, of scintillating, often amoral, discovery. When travel is involuntary, when it is forced, then hotels, like other shared accommodations, take on a very different meaning. For Durrell’s Greek contemporary, the Nobel Laureate George Seferis (1900 - 1971), hotels were a symbol of displacement. Seferis was displaced from his hometown of Smyrna during the 1922 catastrophe and then displaced again from Greece during the Nazi occupation of the country. While in exile, he spent time in Egypt, Palestine and South Africa. In the first part of his 1946 poem Thrush («Κίχλη»), from where the title of this essay is taken, Seferis finds in hotels a metaphor for an existential malaise, of the transience of human existence and material possessions, which his status as refugee illuminates: The houses I had they took away from me. The times happened to be unpropitious: war, destruction, exile; sometimes the hunter hits the migratory birds, sometimes he doesn’t hit them. […] […] I don’t know much about houses I know they have their own nature, nothing else. New at first, like babies who play in gardens with the tassels of the sun, they embroider coloured shutters and shining doors over the day. When the architect’s finished, they change, they frown or smile or even grow resentful with those who stayed behind, with those who went away with others who’d come back if they could or others who disappeared, now that the world’s become an endless hotel. I don’t know much about houses, I remember their joy and their sorrow sometimes, when I stop to think; again sometimes, near the sea, in naked rooms with a single iron bed and nothing of my own, watching the evening spider, I imagine that someone is getting ready to come […]

For Seferis, the transience of hotels, in contrast to the permanence of homes, is the symptom of an existential vacuum: a testament to the absence of a home, to the lack of a place to call one’s own. As a metaphor for the refugee experience, then, the hotel symbolizes the constant temporariness and uncertainty in which refugees live, which is further compounded by the material reality of a life lived in shared spaces, with strangers, with little to no control over arrivals and departures: ‘those who stayed behind […] those who went away/ […] others who’d come back if they could / or others who disappeared’ and little to no control over the actual condition of one’s resting place: ‘in naked rooms / with a single bed and nothing of my own.’ The circumstances of one’s existence, according to Seferis’ poem, are revealed to be entirely arbitrary. No other ‘cause’ other than accident is responsible for bringing a group of people, all foreign to each other, to the same hotel, to the same bed and breakfast, to the same temporary accommodation. Expanding Seferis’ description of the feeling of exile as a temporary presence in a shared place not one’s own, one can see how on a symbolic level this could apply to refugee boats, refugee camps, detention centres and the so-called ‘hot spots’ that the European Union has set up throughout its southern border to ‘greet’ asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean upon their arrival on European territory. I am not suggesting that the experience of a hotel and the experience of a refugee camp are the same, or even analogous. Yet they share a quality of transience, of an encounter with strangers that are different to oneself, but who find themselves in a similar situation by virtue of being in the same shared space. Both sites make for a humbling realization: that as human beings, we are prone to moving and being moved, both literally and metaphorically, by unpredictable

(trans. Edmund Keeley) 45

circumstances and encounters. If we are lucky and privileged enough, movement will be voluntary; an exciting destination holiday packed with adventure, photo ops, fond memories, and perhaps, a few new friends from among the many strangers. If we are less lucky or less privileged; or if by some stroke of fate or geopolitics we are caught in the middle of ‘war, destruction, exile’, movement will be forced upon us, and a blink of an eye might see us lose our homes, our possessions, and our sense of rootedness. And while we cannot share the experience of refugees and displaced people unless we ourselves are forced to move, we can become more aware of our vulnerabilities as people, of the ultimate transience and fickleness of everything we consider to be permanent and intractable, by tuning into the implications of the moments of transience that we do experience. 46

Argyro Nicolaou is a writer and filmmaker from Nicosia, Cyprus. She is currently a PhD candidate at Harvard University, and her dissertation is titled “Europe and the Cultural Politics of Mediterranean Migrations.”

MAKE IT A DAY TO REMEMBER Enjoy a beautiful christening lunch at the Haven restaurant or host a fabulous dinner party in our renovated ballroom.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

STAR

AWARDS

We Work Better Together Award We Work Better Together award-winners build trust, support their colleagues and try hard to develop great working relationships. Vasos Nicolaides | Theodosis Hadjiflourentzou George Georgiades & Yiannis Iosifakis | Stelios Theodorou

Rising Star Award

IHG Rewards Club Champion

Success is no accident. It involves hard work,

Customer satisfaction is good, but customer loyalty

perseverance, sacrifice, and most of all, a love for what

is priceless. Our IHG Rewards Club Champion embraces

you are learning to do. The Rising Star award is given

loyalty and goes above and beyond to make our

to team members who have really stood out in the

IHG Rewards Club member feel valued, cared for

short time they have been working with us.

and respected.

Andreas Filis | Georgia Andreou | Antigone Demosthenous

Ria Papaiakovou

We Do The Right Thing Award

One Step Ahead Champion

We Do The Right Thing award-winners are team

the facts and are prepared to make hard decisions.

One Step Ahead Champions build genuine relationships with our guests. They dare to connect, and are able to not only perceive unspoken wants and needs, but be one step ahead at making them happen.

Konstantinos Konstantinou | Therapon Therapontos

Yana Sakasova

We Show We Care Award

Unsung Hero

members who prove time and time again that they are able to keep their promises, endeavour to seek out

We Show We Care award-winners consistently treat people with respect, look and listen for things that will make a difference, and find ways to deliver great service. Chistophoros Paphitis | Nicos Nicolaou | Alexis Pittalis

We Aim Higher Award We Aim Higher award-winners are always looking for better ways to do things, and challenge not just themselves but those around them. Andreas Vasileou | Slavi Sakarski Ria Papaiacovou | Sotiris Yiangou

Every member of the team has an important part to play in creating great hotels guests love. Our Unsung Heroes are the silent stars who shine behind the scenes. Michalis Savva

Special Contribution Award Special contributions cannot be quantified, but are appreciated and valued. This award goes to the person who or team which surpasses all expectations to achieve something truly remarkable. The Housekeeping Department

MEET THE MANAGEMENT TEAM Petros Pierides

Rebecca Pierides

General Manager

Assistant General Manager

Elsie Pericleous

Konstantinos Drousiotis

HR Manager

Rooms Divsion & Revenue Manager

Andrie Kouloundi Executive PA

Christina Hepi

Thrasos Mikellides

Accounts Manager

Food & Beverage Manager

Stavros Theodosiou

Zacharias Paourou

Chief Technician

Chef

Prokopis Antoniou

Nadia Georgiou

Xenophon Tsiftis

Michalis Prodromou

Food & Beverage Service Manager

Marketing Manager

Sales Manager M.I.C.E

Duty Manager

Phedra Lepine Executive Housekeeper

PROMOTIONS KONSTANTINOS DROUSIOTIS

XENOPHON TSIFTIS

Rooms Division & Revenue Manager

Sales Manager M.I.C.E

Having graduated with an MBA from Neapolis University in Cyprus, Konstantinos received the Crowne Plaza Limassol “Development Award” in 2013, and was offered a position on our Revenue team. He went on to receive the IHG Revenue Management Essentials Certification (RMEC) in 2014, and successfully completed the AHLEI (American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute) Managing Front Office Operations course in May 2017. Konstantinos was promoted to Rooms Division & Revenue Manager in November 2017.

In 2017 Xenophon received a horizontal promotion from F&B Service Manager to Sales Manager M.I.C.E (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events), taking this challenging new role in his stride. Xenophon graduated with an MSc in Public Policy & Economics from the University of Maastricht, and has 5 years of experience in the hospitality industry under his belt.

NADIA GEORGIOU Marketing Manager After graduating with a BA in Graphic Design from the University of Leeds, Nadia pursued an international career in marketing. She joined the Crowne Plaza Limassol team in 2013 as a Marketing Officer. In 2018 Nadia successfully became a Certified Social Media Manager and has since received two promotions to Marketing Executive, and most recently, to Marketing Manager.

MARIA LEONIDOU Receptionist A Maria graduated with a BA in Hotel & Tourism Management from Intercollege, Cyprus. She joined the Front Office team in 2010, and has since stood out for her bubbly personality and knack for delivering True Hospitality. She was named “Employee of the Month” in 2011 and received a “We Work Better Together” star award in 2016.

DEMETRIS PANAYIOTOU Purchasing Officer Demetris joined the team in 2017 as Storekeeper. From the very beginning he demonstrated an eagerness to learn and take on new challenges. In June 2018, he was promoted to Purchasing Officer.

Demetris Panayiotou, Maria Leonidou, Xenophon Tsiftis, Nadia Georgiou, Konstantinos Drousiotis

NEWS REBECCA PIERIDES Assistant General Manager In February 2018, Rebecca was invited to join the Emerging Leaders Network, Europe. The ELN brings together the emerging future of the hospitality industry within the IHG Owners Association. Rebecca is currently a seated member on the Europe Distribution, Digital & Commercial Committee, which works in close collaboration with the IHG Leadership team in Europe, to ensure the right commercial programmes and activities are rolled-out in the region.

WELCOME

FAREWELL

MICHALIS PRODROMOU

ANDREAS KOUTSOS

Duty Manager

Group Purchasing Officer

Michalis graduated with a BA in Accountancy and Finance from the University of Huddersfield in 2017. While studying in the UK, Michalis spent summers working in our F&B department during which time he developed a passion for hotels. Upon completing his degree, Michalis decided to re-join the team and begin a promising career in the hospitality industry.

Andreas joined the team in 1989 and retired in 2018 after 29 years of invaluable service. Over the years he demonstrated unwavering loyalty and commitment to the hotel. A paradigm of honesty and hard-work, we wish Andreas a happy retirement.

The IHG® Foundation The IHG® Foundation runs as an independent charity, and focuses its activities on four key areas: helping communities to develop skills in hospitality, providing support for those impacted by disasters, facilitating local community investment, and protecting the environment. Over 100 colleagues at the Crowne Plaza Limassol participated in 2017, and for each act of participation, IHG donated $1 to the IHG Foundation. Activities included beach-cleaning, a visit and donation of baked goods to the ‘Agios Stephanos’ philanthropic foundation for children, a clothes collection, a dessert masterclass, a watersports session and a bicycle ride along the 54Limassol seafront.

Ria Papaiakovou We are extremely proud of Ria who is currently the youngest member of the Front Office team. Last year she graduated from the Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus and was promoted from a trainee to a full-time receptionist. In addition to her professional aspirations, Ria also participates actively in our fund-raising efforts and community outreach programmes.

We’re so happy you’re here Discover more at ihgrewardsclub.com

CELEBRATE SERVICE WEEK Celebrate Service Week is our way of saying thank you to the team for the great service they deliver to our guests every day. In November 2017 we organised a delicious chocolate fountain afternoon in the staff canteen, a bingo tournament, a blind food tasting, a team challenge and an evening of bowling.

Team #cplimassol 56

Take a moment to discover Limassol and everything it has to offer...

Cyprus Gran Fondo’ VW Cyprus Cycling Tour | March 2019 The tour is a 3-day road “Cycling for All” event where professional and amateur riders cycle shoulder to shoulder in the mountains, enjoying the mild Cypriot climate and breath-taking nature.

International Film Festival | April 2019 “Cyprus Film Days” has become a much-anticipated annual event that promotes both international and Cypriot filmmakers, screening a number of cinematic masterpieces from around the globe.

Limassol Carnival | March 2019 The most exciting time of the year, Carnival celebrations last for 10 days (February 28th March 10th). The main event is the parade which takes place on the second Sunday.

Limassol Marathon | March 2019 Cyprus’ official marathon, accredited by the international federations of AIMS and IAAF, Limassol Marathon events taking place on the 23rd & 24th of March include a Marathon, Half Marathon, Health Race, Corporate Race and Student Race. 58

COOL COCKTAILS AT THE LOUNGE BAR

Street Life Festival | April 2019 The Street Life festival attracts over 10,000 people to the historic centre of town. Each year street artists are invited to create imaginitive works of graffiti-art on Athinon street. Festivities include live music, jugglers, the sale of handicraft items, food and drink.

Anthestiria | May 2019

The Rose Festival | May 2019 The village of Agros is famous for its cultivation of Damascena roses from which aromatic oil is extracted for use in flavourings, cosmetics, and rose water. The annual Rose Festival features rosepicking and processing demonstrations along with food, music and dancing.

The Anthestiria “Flower Festival” is a traditional festival which features a flower parade and exhibition to celebrate Spring and the rebirth of nature and life. The celebration dates back to Ancient Greece.

Come get me

Limassol Boat Show | May 2019 Visit the largest boat show in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean region. The event which takes place at the Limassol Marina is awash with glittering yachts, fun activities, boating equipment and exhibitions on water.

Haagen Dazs KV Portrait 2 A1.indd 1

01/12/2016 14:42

Enjoy Häagen Dazs at the Lounge Bar & Med Pool Bar 59

Russian-Cypriot Festival | June 2019 The Russian-Cypriot festival takes place at the Municipal Gardens every year. More than seventy Cypriot and Russian companies present their products, while dance groups, musicians and singers from both communities perform.

Limassol 3on3 | June 2019 OPAP Limassol 3on3 is the biggest street-ball tournament in Cyprus, and one of the leading street ball tournaments in the Mediterranean. It takes place along the Limassol Promenade where a customised court specifically designed for the event according to FIBA 3on3 standards is set up on one of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waterfront jetties.

Latin Fever Parties June - September 2019 The hottest Latin dance party of the year takes place around the pool at the Crowne Plaza Limassol. Join us for a drink or a dance every Sunday, and enjoy summer Latin vibes by the sea. The hottest Latin dance party of the year takes place around the pool at the Crowne Plaza Limassol. Join us for a drink or a dance every Sunday, and enjoy summer Latin vibes by the sea. 60

Curium Amphitheatre June - September 2019 Live performances at ancient Curium are a unique experience. Throughout the summer, both national and international artists are invited to perform music, theatre and dance. Both the acoustics and the ambiance of this outdoor theatre are one of a kind.

Amathusia Festival | July 2019 The Agios Tychonas Community Board hosts a seaside festival every summer amongst the ancient Amathus ruins featuring traditional and contemporary dancing, string quartets and singers.

Koumandaria Festival | July 2019 Koumandaria, a famous Cypriot dessert wine first produced during the Crusades, is celebrated every year in numerous villages of the Kourris Valley, one of the main wine-producing regions of the island.

Cyprus Beer Festival | July 2019 Visitors have the opportunity to taste a variety of local and imported beers including KEO, Heineken, Beckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Amstel and Stella Artois, with great entertainment, DJs and live music.

Wine Festival | September 2019 Known as the wine capital of Cyprus, Limassol hosts the Wine Festival at the Municipal Gardens. Visitors can enjoy a variety of wines and traditional food, folkloric dances and music over a twelve day period.

RELAX SOCIALISE EXERCISE Become a member today from â&#x201A;Ź60 per month on annual pre-paid subscriptions.

CROWNE WEDDINGS

ISSUE 6 | 2017-2018

EDITOR Rebecca Pierides ART DIRECTOR Nadia Georgiou

CROWNE PARTIES

CROWNE CHRISTENINGS

The title and all materials are protected by copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Although the greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the magazine at the time of going to press, the publisher may not be held liable for any omissions or errors.

CROWNE PLAZA LIMASSOL A: 2 Promachon Eleftherias, 4103 Limassol, Cyprus T: +357-25-851515 W: limassol.crowneplaza.com | crowneplaza.com/limassolcyprus E: marketing@cplimassol.com Terms and conditions apply. ©2018 IHG. All rights reserved. Most hotels are independently owned and operated.

ENJOY AL FRESCO DINING BY THE SEA AT OUR AWARD-WINNING ITALIAN RESTAURANT

CROWNE PLAZA LIMASSOL RESERVATIONS 25 851443