Better Than Ever

ANNUAL EVENTS

Limassol Marina plays a major role as a venue, hosting a boundless variety of events alongside those of vibrant Limassol city. Enjoy a taste of the 2022 and 2023 highlights.

February / March

LIMASSOL CARNIVAL

Limassol

According to custom, Limassol Carnival begins with the crowning of the Carnival King on ‘Tsiknopempti’, which translates to ‘Smoky Thursday’, given that the day traditionally sees people indulge in grilled meats ahead of the Lenten fast. The annual 10-day event is one of the world’s most notable carnivals, celebrated 50 days before Orthodox Easter. Of the island’s revels, Limassol hosts the most lavish - a must-attend for locals and visitors alike. The packed programme features parades, festivities, parties and balls, held all over the city.

www.limassol.org.cy/en/carnivallimassol

May

LIMASSOL MOTION

Limassol Marina

Over two, action-packed days, the Limassol Motion event draws tens of thousands of motor and yachting enthusiasts to the Marina, thanks to its showcase of superyachts, luxury cars and high-end motorcycles, and related products and services. The annual event also features exhilarating motorcycle and flyboard demonstrations, as well as close-up views of the most powerful 4x4 off-road vehicles. Beyond the thrilling spectacle, in years past, the event has also featured onboard fundraisers to benefit local charities.

March LIMASSOL GSO MARATHON

Limassol Molos Promenade

Could this be Europe’s most panoramic racing event? Considering its stunning coastal setting, the island’s official marathon, drawing over 15,000 competitors to Limassol each spring, gives similar challenges a run for their money. A true test of endurance, mental discipline and speed, the Limassol event includes a flagship 42.195km Marathon, a 21km Half Marathon, a 10km Energy Race, 5km Corporate and City Races, and a 1km Youth Race. www.limassolmarathon.com

August/September

LIMASSOL WINE FESTIVAL

Municipal Gardens

Taking place as summer shifts to autumn, the Limassol Wine Festival is an annual celebration of the island’s winemaking heritage. Visitors can indulge in world-class wines and taste delicious local cuisine, while enjoying a rich programme of traditional Cypriot dancing and singing, together with family-friendly theatre and humour.

www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/wine

September

IOANNIDEIA REGATTA

Limassol Marina

Skill, sea spray and world-class competition converge at the three-day Ioannideia Regatta – among the East Med’s largest offshore sailing events. Established by Famagusta Nautical Club and held across the gulf of Limassol, the annual regatta also sees berthing and shore-side activities at Limassol Marina, a longstanding partner of the Club.

www.famagustanauticalclub.com/

October LIMASSOL BOAT SHOW

Limassol Marina

The largest boat fair of its kind in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, each year the Limassol Boat Show showcases the latest in nautical innovation to thousands of local and international visitors. A highlight of the Marina’s calendar, the prestigious event sees high-end brands present the most desirable pleasure boats, superyachts and recreational fishing and diving products, together with on-water demonstrations, activities and seminars. Lovers of cars can also preview super-luxury vehicles, while fashionistas enjoy couture by local designers. Networking opportunities abound, complemented by Limassol Marina’s renowned leisure facilities.

www.limassolboatshow.com

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October LIMASSOL YACHT CLUB REGATTA

Limassol Marina

Organised by the Limassol Marina Yacht Club, the mid-autumn regatta sees a day of sailing races that take place along the gulf of Limassol. Yachts participate in their designated class, facing different levels of challenge in an exhilarating test of seafaring skills. The event brings together the entire Limassol sailing community, after which winners are honoured at a prize-giving ceremony held at Limassol Marina Square.

www.limassolmarina.com/whats-on

December CHRISTMAS ON THE SEA

Limassol Marina

The festive season at Limassol Marina begins with the grand Christmas Lighting Ceremony, after which a full programme of events and entertainment for all the family follows, offering visitors a true ‘Christmas on the sea’. Head over to the Marina’s website to learn when the different bazaars, choral performances, interactive workshops and children’s activities will take place over December, as well as when Santa will be making a special appearance! www.limassolmarina.com/whats-on

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Special Report

BETTER THAN EVER

text by Emily Millett

The largest event of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Limassol Boat Show is back, delivering unparallelled value to all stakeholders, as well as to the yachting industry and Cyprus as a whole

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Re-launched after a three-year break due to the disruption of the pandemic, the hugely popular Limassol Boat Show returned to Limassol Marina over October 14-16, 2022, bigger and better than ever. And according to Marina Manager Tom Lord, the hiatus turned out to have a silver lining, with all stakeholders showing increased enthusiasm to come together and celebrate the industry in all its glamour and glory. “The wanting is back and in full throttle, which was great to see, with so much going on over the three days, adding to the furore and festival feeling,” he says.

In fact, attendance hit record numbers this year, as some 30,000 visitors and over 100 exhibitors descended on the Marina to display and discover the latest in yachting, water sports, leisure fishing and diving. Local and international boating enthusiasts, as well as leading industry players and top media all enjoyed a packed three-day programme of seminars, a yachting conference, exclusive product presentations, events and dazzling sponsor parties. "Returning on a bigger scale, more revitalised and with record attendance, are all indicative of the significance of this exhibition, both for our island and for the wider region,” says Limassol Marina General Manager Nikiforos Pampakas. “The highest of standards have been set by the organisers and all those involved, with the result that this year's exhibition exceeded all expectations.”

Event Enhancements

Meanwhile, plenty of enhancements to the winning formula for the 2022 edition accounted for the increased demand, including the opening of new exhibition and hospitality spaces, fresh events and venues, and a novel way of exhibiting the yachts. For exhibitors such as Yiannos Nicolaides, managing director and owner of Nautimar Marine, such improvements were welcome. “The fact that larger boats could be displayed was a positive change, as the demand for large boats has increased,” he notes. The event also saw an exclusive selection of vessels exceeding €70 million in value, including the regional debut of an exceptional yacht and motorboat series, as well as a unique collection of luxury vehicles and supercars seen for the first time in Cyprus, such as the Maserati Grecale and Maserati MC20.

Enlarging the event to include more exhibits, larger yachts and further high-end products was one of the year’s keys aims, according to Dacor Advertising and Media CEO and Co-organiser of the show, Aristos Aristidou. “We really added value to the event, and made it more spectacular, which, together with the huge efforts of the exhibitors themselves, resulted in the creation of something unique and special,” he says.

One Of A Kind

In fact, the exhibitors were a big part of what made the event such a resounding success, not least the leading international brands who attended with representatives from their central offices and shipyards.

According to Marina Manager Tom, their feedback has been uniformly fantastic. “For some, it was the first time they came over and they were all shocked by the quality of the show,” he shares. This is partly due to the Marina’s unique architectural character – not the usual venue for an event of this type – but also to its holistic offerings that serve the whole market. “From jet skis to water sports, dinghy sailing and kids getting into the sport, to the world’s biggest superyacht charter companies and owners of superyachts, we cover the whole spectrum and offer something for everyone,” Tom adds. In addition to being a great family-friendly day out for visitors, with an immersive public area featuring exciting happenings across the course of the three days, the Limassol Boat show is also one of the most targeted gatherings around. “It’s unique, because it is not usual to see such a concentrated collection of yachting professionals and exhibitors of such value in one place,” explains Aristos. “Along with the services and large numbers of people interested in yachting all together, this creates real value.”

The Right Audience

Then there are the benefits for the event’s exhibitors. After setting up a more effective way for yacht sellers to evaluate and network with prospective buyers, several deals, transactions and agreements were closed during the event.

A case in point is that of Sunseekers Greece and Cyprus, whose large exhibitor booth, as well as three captivating yachts displayed in the water, resulted in an extremely successful showing. As the company’s General Manager for Greece, Fofi Olympidou, notes: “It was extremely beneficial for us to participate, to meet so many potential customers, people and friends. We had considerable