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NOVEMBER 2014
ISSUE 21
AYIA NAPA TO WELCOME ARTIFICIAL REEF ZENON CONSORTIUM, IN CHARGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARNACA’S PORT AND MARINA, IS IN ADVANCED NEGOTIATIONS FOR SECURING FUNDING WHICH WILL ALLOW LAUNCH OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS EARLY IN 2015.
10 CTO HONOURS REPEAT TOURISTS
12 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE
02
NAUTICAL
04
NICOSIA
06
TOURISM BOARDS
12
AIR
15
ACCOMMODATION
17
TRAVEL CHANNELS
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INTERNATIONAL
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IN FOCUS
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TRAVEL TALK
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RENDEZVOUS
23
NEWS & EVENTS
24
CONSTRUCTION OF LARNACA MARINA TO BEGIN IN 2015
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
Claridge Reduces Losses Claridge Public announced its results for the first half of the year, noting that sales amounted to EUR2.8 million, showing a decrease of 34 percent year-on-year.
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ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
his was attributed to the fact that no sales were performed by the wholly subsidiary Amathus Vacation Ownership. Amathus Beach Hotel Paphos had also registered a decline in performance, with sales dropping by EUR869,000 as the hotel had suspended operations between January 1 and March 9 due to low occupancy levels. The operational loss for the first six months of the year decreased by EUR862,000, while the loss before taxation amounted to EUR2 million, compared to a EUR2.9 million loss registered in the same period in 2013.
CONTRIBUTORS Dominique Christou Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou
Amathus Beach Hotel Limassol
WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltradecyprus.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradecyprus.travel PRINTED IN CYPRUS CyPrinters Ltd P.O. Box 58300, CY-3732, Limassol, Cyprus Tel: +357 25 720035, Fax: +357 25 720123 Email: info@cyprinters.com
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Louis Increases First Half Turnover
Hospitality company, Louis, announced that for the first half of the year, the group’s turnover grew by 12.5 percent compared to the same period of 2013.
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his was a result of the respective increases of its subsidiaries; Louis Cruises by 12.7 percent and Louis Hotels by 12 percent. The operating profit of the parent company before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation and rent amounted to EUR16.9 million, signal-
ling a 36.3 percent year-on-year surge. The net results of the group for the first half showed an improvement of approximately EUR3.9 million compared to 2013, while loss before taxation was marginally increased by EUR360,000 due to factors such as share of losses in a joint cruise development venture.
Visitors to The Mall of Cyprus Increase During the first quarter of the year, shopper numbers at The Mall of Cyprus rose by 6.5 percent.
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t the same time, since September 2007, when the facility first opened to the public, visitation figures reached 30 million according to a statement by the management of the mall. Notably, the shopping centre in now operating at full capacity with no free retail outlets remaining. The most recent additions to The Mall of Cyprus’ retail portfolio include I Am, Pablosky, BSB and Coffee Cantata, the popular city spot.
The Mall of Cyprus
NOVEMBER 2014
MONTHLY NEWS NAUTICAL
Construction of Larnaca Marina to Begin in 2015 Nicos Anastasiades, president, Cyprus, and Marios Demetriades, minister, communications and works, Cyprus, presided a meeting with representatives of the Zenon consortium in charge of the integrated development of Larnaca’s port and marina.
R Larnaca Marina
Balcony TV Launches at Limassol Marina
epresentatives of the conglomerate informed the government on the funding process and it was subsequently announced that Zenon is requesting for a further extension of the deadline to find a sponsor for its ambitious project. Andreas Louroutziatis, mayor, Larnaca, commented that things are going well, according to what the representatives of the consortium have said, as they are in advanced negotiations for securing funding which will allow launch of construction works early in 2015.
Arts in the Square at Limassol Marina
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alcony TV Cyprus has relocated to the heart of Limassol Marina’s dining and shopping area, bringing the first in a series of live sessions. Open to the public, the sessions feature local singers, songwriters and bands that have previously performed on Limassol Marina’s Harbour Master terrace for the worldwide platform. Balcony TV is a daily online show and non-profit initiative, presenting music with a view from balconies around the world. It launched in Cyprus last spring exclusively at Limassol Marina and has since showcased the local music scene on a global scale. Balcony TV live sessions aim to bring the online concept closer to the community, offering entertainment to Limassol Marina’s visitors and sharing the platform’s potential with all aspiring musicians.
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he second in the series of Arts in the Square took place at Limassol Marina, following a successful launch of its first show with the renowned Greek composer and singer, Stefanos Korkolis, and the up-and-coming Sofia Manousaki. With two performances, one by sunset and another under the full moon, Ocho Cuerdas provided the perfect backdrop for the evening and an unrivalled ambiance for all visitors, whether passing through on a stroll or dining by the sea. Arts in the Square provides a platform for diverse performances and events, all free of charge for Limassol Marina’s visitors and aiming to support local artistic creativity. It is a new initiative and one that the management is very proud to be unveiling in the heart of Limassol town.
NOVEMBER 2014
NAUTICAL MONTHLY NEWS Cyprus, Greece and Malta Collaborate on Nautical Issues now. . k u o y Did the ised
and cogn us re conomic of r p y e e C tanc ical, polit al impor s early i a soc ing, shipp s 1963? a
Larnaca Marina Praised in Israel
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ith the aim of developing a common strategy in shipping and marine affairs, Malta, Greece and Cyprus were represented at a third trilateral ministerial meeting. The focus of the assembly was to identify methods through which the three Mediterranean countries can provide mutual support in pursuit of common objectives, and the development of a common shipping strategy of shipping between the three nations. Marios Demetriades, minister, communications and works, Cyprus, said Cyprus is ready to provide all possible assistance to its other two partners.
Larnaca Marina
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n Israeli magazine has commended service levels at Larnaca Marina, specifically the friendliness and hospitality of the facility’s staff to arriving vessels. Positive comments were also made for the security levels as well as the competitive prices at the marina. Cyprus Tourism Organisation expressed the authority’s gratitude for the relevant article and underlined that investing into and promoting nautical tourism is a main priority for the organisation.
Ioannideia 2014
Limassol Marina Supports Ioannideia
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amagusta Nautical Club played host to the Ioannideia race in memory of the late navy commander Andreas Ioannides. The event is established as an annual fixture with participation from all over Cyprus and beyond. Limassol Marina was a partner of this initiative for the second consecutive year, providing berths, facilities and operational assistance to all participants. Followed by speeches, an official ceremony and awards, Ioannideia 2014 included off-shore sailing regattas, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, rowing and other races.
NOVEMBER 2014
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MONTHLY NEWS NICOSIA
China Visits Nicosia
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leni Loucaidou, deputy mayor, Nicosia, had a meeting with a delegation from the Chinese city of Hangzhou. The purpose of the foreign team’s visit was to assess social stability in Cyprus, ways to manage the town, as well as the promotion of the exhibition Hangzhou West Lake Expo and the conference Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference 2014. The two parties also discussed possible ways of cooperation through friendly exchanges between Nicosia and Hangzhou.
Nicosia Offers Sporting Chance
The City Prepares Pop-Up Festival
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overnmental initiative Sports For All and Nicosia Municipality and the organised an event for the elderly, who had the opportunity to walk, workout and be entertained at the Nicosia Municipal Gardens. The event was part of Move Week, one of the initiatives of the International Sport and Culture Association and an integral part of the campaign NowWeMOVE 2012 – 2020. It is organised for the second time in Cyprus and was held simultaneously across Europe, while its aim is to raise awareness and enable European citizens to engage in physical activity and sports.
icosia Municipality, in collaboration with Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre, Associated with the Pierides Foundation, is organising a PopUp Festival taking place in Makariou Avenue between November and January 2015. The major objective of the festival is to gather the most innovative, inventive and creative talents in the field of entrepreneurship, entertainment and culture in the main shopping artery of Nicosia. The project will be accompanied by a range of parallel activities, educational, cultural and recreational, focussing on the active participation of the public.
The Capital Proves to be Green
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icosia Municipality was honoured for the construction of a low energy consumption edifice. In particular, the new building, which will house the municipality hall, was distinguished by the Cyprus Energy Agency and the Department of Environment, in collaboration with the Public Procurement Directorate of the Treasury of the Republic. The award ceremony took place at the Cultural Centre of the Bank of Cyprus as part of the project Buy Smart+ which is funded by the programme Intelligent Energy Europe of the European Commission.
Pet Day in Nicosia
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icosia Municipality organised the Pet and Family Day, in order to celebrate the World Animal Day. The festivities included a wide variety of activities such as competitions and dog shows by police dogs, a hot dog show, a kids corner with gymnastics, yoga, music workshops and creative music programmes, as well as scout presentations. Various animal shelters were also represented at the event, while specialists were informing the public on pet issues as well as the relevant laws of having or adopting a cat or a dog in Cyprus.
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NOVEMBER 2014
MONTHLY NEWS
Eden City
Atum Developments Targets Private Medicine
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iming to benefit from an increasing demand in Cyprus’ private health care sector, Atum Developments announced that it will be introducing a private medical clinic to its upcoming Eden City development in Geroskipou. The state-of-the-art Health Tower will be a 2,500m2 facility with the ability to treat 30,000 patients per year, as Sandor Kenyeres, founder, Atum Developments, explained, while it will also feature specialised facilities; a Swiss Private Clinic including a surgical centre for cosmetic treatments, plastic surgery, dental procedures and an Asian Medicine Centre for acupuncture, naturopathy medicine and traditional Chinese healing. “Patients will find this location ideal for post-care treatment and recuperation as they will have the opportunity to stay in either the Peninsula’s five-star hotel or one of the adjoining serviced apartment towers,” described Zsolt Szenasi, CEO, Atum Developments.
Minthis Hills Officially Opens
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arking the completion of the first phase of Minthis Hills Golf Resort, an opening ceremony took place which was presided over by Nicos Anastasiades, president, Cyprus. The first phase of the project includes the main spine road and project infrastructure, the first residential neighbourhood, an 18-hole championship golf course complete with practice facilities and driving range, a nature trail and a clubhouse. Minthis Hills Golf Resort When completed, Minthis Hills Golf Resort will also feature over 500 luxury private residences, a deluxe spa and health club, a village square with retail and dining outlets, an equestrian centre and a tennis academy.
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CTO Puts Special Interests Tourism in the Spotlight
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s part of Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO)’s efforts to lengthen the tourist season, the organisation’s London branch held a promotional event in the UK capital in collaboration with HF Holidays, specialised in trekking tourism. The event included a brief presentation by officers of CTO on the advantages offered by Cyprus for a number of special interests tourism segments, especially for hiking tourism. During the Cypriot dinner that followed, CTO officers had the opportunity to talk with the HF Holidays’ representatives and elite customers who were invited to the event to explore ways to develop further cooperation in 2016 and other special interests products such as cycling, photography, sailing and painting.
CTO and HF Holidays Representatives
NOVEMBER 2014
MONTHLY NEWS New Company for Air Navigation Services in 2015
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he operation of a new state-owned air navigation services company is being finalised, according to Marios Demetriades, minister, communications and works, Cyprus. Following discussions for the restructuring of the Civil Aviation Department, it was decided that the new entity will begin operations in early 2015.
Demetriades also announced that the company will be run by a board of directors and will be under the authority of the Civil Aviation Department, which will continue to handle other responsibilities. As for the operating costs of the company, Demetriades noted that those will be covered by profits recovered from airlines.
Paphos to Have a Hospitality School
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iming to educate and sufficiently train young people wishing to pursue a career in the hotel industry, Cyprus Hotel Association (CHA)’s Paphos district committee suggested the establishment of a hospitality school in the area. “We believe that if we properly manage the setting up of the school, young people will be interested to join because they will know that upon graduation they will be ready to enter the hotel and tourism industry, gaining satisfactory earnings,� said Themis Philippides, chairman, Paphos district committee, CHA. He added that the need for a higher education within the sector is emerging now more clearly than ever in order to address the lack of qualified personnel for the hospitality industry.
NOVEMBER 2014
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MONTHLY NEWS Cyprus Targets the Lucrative Wedding Segment
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yprus was represented at The National Wedding Show held recently in the British capital. According to Antigone Kapodistrias, officer, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Marry MeCyprus is a well-established slogan while the added element of Exclusive is a new marketing identity for the product Cyprus is offering. She said that the island is a top choice for organising luxury weddings and honeymoons, thus, targeting high-income individuals. Kapodistrias mentioned that the organisation aims to establish new wedding venues that will be associated with Aphrodite, the Cypriot goddess of love. Wedding tourism is a significant market for Cyprus since 8,000 ceremonies are performed annually on the island.
CHA: Bigger Achievements are Expected in Cyprus
Ayia Napa to Welcome Artificial Reef
a l sion ficia Ar ti -dimen h flat t e thre ures wi revices, t c c u d r st t to an aces g habita f r u s ine idin prov ub-mar s? s m s ni orga
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he theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, Tourism and Community Development, underscores the fundamental role that tourism can play in promoting opportunities for communities around the world, and how community engagement can advance sustainable tourism development,” stressed Haris Loizides, chairman, Cyprus Hotel Association (CHA), in a statement marking World Tourism Day. He further indicated that the attractiveness of a destination does not depend just on its tourist facilities, but also on the qualitative characteristics of the surrounding area, which develops with everyone’s help. “The fact that tourist arrivals to Cyprus showed positive signs should by no means lead us to complacency. Instead, they create added responsibilities to improve the tourism industry’s performance and extend the tourism season, given that there is still great potential for even bigger achievements in the sector,” Loizides concluded.
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now. . k u o y are Did reefs l
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yia Napa is preparing for the creation of an artificial reef as groundwork for the cleaning, transport and sinking of the vessel Keryneia is progressing fast. Yiannis Karoussos, mayor, Ayia Napa, welcomed the fact that the government went a step forward with regards to the creation of an artificial reef in the area. This new development, soon to be implemented, will greatly enrich the tourist experience which is one of the municipality’s main goals, according to Karoussos. Along with the creation of the artificial reef, Ayia Napa will also introduce an underwater theme park, which is estimated to be ready in mid-2015. NOVEMBER 2014
FIGURES MONTHLY NEWS
July Tourism Revenue Decreases
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ased on the results of the passenger survey for Cyprus, revenue from tourism reached EUR321.2 million in July, compared to EUR338.6 million in the corresponding month of 2013, recording a decline of 5.1 percent. For the period January to July this year, revenue from tourism is estimated at EUR1.09 billion compared to EUR1.04 billion in the same period of 2013, recording an increase of 6.1 percent.
NOVEMBER 2014
Travellers Surpass 1.7 Million
Tourist Numbers Increase 5.7 Percent in July
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or the period January – August, arrivals of tourists totalled 1,734,880, noting an increase of 5.9 percent. This is according to the results of the passengers’ survey conducted by Cyprus’ Statistical Service, which also indicated that tourist arrivals in August reached 373,086 compared to 352,215 in the same month of 2013, recording an increase of 5.9 percent. A boost of 6.5 percent was registered in tourist arrivals from the UK, which increased from 127,118 in August 2013 to 135,424 this August, while a 11.6 percent growth was noted from Russia. Israel sent a total of 13,201 travellers in the month under review, recording a notable increase of 61.7 percent year-on-year. However, declines were noticed from the Swedish, Norwegian, German and Greek markets, with the latter diving by 18.2 percent year-on-year.
Satisfying Revenues in First Half of the Year
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ccording to an official survey, total arrivals of travellers to Cyprus reached 381,955 in July, compared to 361,442 in the same month of 2013, recording a growth of 5.7 percent. An increase of 20.6 percent was registered in tourist numbers from Russia as they reached 116,582, while Israeli visitors witnessed a stunning 63.5 percent boost with 10,311 tourists in July. However, decreases of more than four percent in tourist arrivals were recorded from the UK and Sweden. Similarly, the Norwegian market declined by 13.7 percent and the Greek segment went down by 9.6 percent.
fficial governmental data revealed that income from tourism in June amounted to EUR303.2 million compared to EUR259.8 million in the corresponding month of 2013, registering a significant increase of 16.7 percent. This is attributed to the year-on-year growth in tourist arrivals by 11 percent and the increase in average spending per traveller by 5.1 percent. As a result, revenue from tourism in the first half of the year amounted to EUR778.7 million, surging by 11.6 percent compared to the same period of 2013. Indicatively, the average spent of Russian tourists amounted to EUR983 per person, while the average total was EUR886.
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MONTHLY NEWS TOURISM BOARDS Winter Escapes Relaunched
CTO Appoints Beaches for Pets
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yprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) re-introduced its short escapes initiative which is aimed at developing domestic winter tourism and familiarising Cypriots with their country’s beauties and tourism product.
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ow. .
the os is e’s h p a m P ram r prog popula t mos ination? dest
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yprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) announced that its central committee for beach management has named a host of bathing sites where owners of dogs can freely enjoy time with their pets. Those sites include five beaches located in Ayia Napa, Kato Pyrgos, Larnaca, Paphos and Neo Chorio. In its relevant statement, CTO also pleaded with the audience to ensure the safety of others and their dogs, as well as hygiene, cleanliness and respect for the environment.
PCCI Held Meetings in Greece
CTO’s Event to Launch Winter Escapes
The programme offers participants the chance to book a weekend at a property of their choice anywhere in Cyprus at very low prices, which have indicatively remained at 2008’s levels. The previous edition of the programme, concluded in June, attracted 5,346 travellers, 4,269 of which took advantage of CTO’s free guided tours. The 2014/2015 schedule has been enriched both in terms of hotel offerings as well as day trips available with each package.
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Thessaloniki
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delegation from Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) participated at a gathering held between the twinned cities of the chamber’s network in Greece and met with important partners. Those included Georgios Orfanos, minister, Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace, Greece, management members of the country’s National Exhibition Agency, TIF HELEXPO, as well as other governmental agencies. The delegation also attended the 79th Thessaloniki International Fair.
NOVEMBER 2014
TOURISM BOARDS MONTHLY NEWS Paphos Shares Experiences with Europe
Culture Days in Polis Chrysochous
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embers of the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism and Angelos Odysseos, mayor, Polis Chrysochous, took part in the final conference held in Greece within the context of the CHARTS project, an interregional cooperation programme financed by the European Union. The programme helps regions work together to share experiences and good practice in the areas of innovation, environment, the knowledge economy and risk prevention. The conference saw the participation of 120 partners from 13 countries across Europe, while Paphos was represented by a total of eight members.
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he municipality of Polis Chrysochous held an event titled Days of Traditional Products and Popular Art, within the context of celebrating culture. The event, which is an annual fixture organised since 2002 and its attendees include locals as well as tourists, featured presentations of local agricultural produce, exhibitions of historical photos, traditional professions shows and preparation of traditional dishes. Moreover, expressing appreciation and thanks, the town’s municipality honoured tourists which have visited Polis more than 10 times over the past few years.
CTO Commemorates World Tourism Day
Limassol Receives 12 Percent of Inbound Tourists
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peaking at the annual meeting of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, minister, energy, commerce, industry and tourism, Cyprus, underlined that the coastal city should continue to improve its tourist product. He said that Limassol has 48 percent of its bed inventory allocated in four- and five-star hotels, while according to 2013’s data, the city receives 12 percent of the incoming tourist flow into Cyprus. Around 36 percent of those tourists hail from Russia, UK, Greece and Germany, Lakkotrypis added. “From the first moment, we worked to contain arrivals from mature markets and invest in the emerging ones. After many years, the English market has been stabilised, with this year’s arrivals between January and August amounting to over 614,000,” he concluded.
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yprus Tourism Organisation issued a statement on the occasion of the World Tourism Day, emphasising that tourism is a complex phenomenon involving many areas of human life and activity. The same source noted that tourism development was rapid worldwide over the last decades, while in Cyprus, following the establishment of the Cypriot republic in 1960, tourism followed an impressive pathway. For the island, a strong tourist economy equals substantial income for the state, employment opportunities and fueling growth, the statement concluded.
NOVEMBER 2014
Limassol
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MONTHLY NEWS TOURISM BOARDS Paphos’ Attractions Showcased in Austria
CTO Honours Repeat Tourists
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afos Regional Board of Tourism, in collaboration with various hoteliers of the region and a golf course, held presentations and workshops in Austria to showcase the coastal town. The three destinations visited were Vienna, Linz and Graz, where more 150 tourist agents participated in an effort to get acquainted with Paphos’ offering. The initiative was in line with Pafos Regional Board of Tourism’s efforts to attract tourists all year round, especially since Austrian carrier NIKI is launching direct flights between the two countries as of March 2015.
yprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) and Ajax Hotel paid tribute to a British couple who have visited Cyprus 32 times. Their first time was in 1983, and since then they visit the island at least once every year. According to the two tourists, Cyprus’ best traits are not the sun and the sea but the quality of the people of the country and the friends they have made here, such as their usual taxi driver, their hotel staff and the owner of the tavern they used to visit.
Limassol Celebrated Tourism Day
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undreds of tourists were offered free guided tours in downtown Limassol on September 27, as part of the celebrations of the World Tourism Day by Limassol Tourism Board. The tours were at 09:30, 11:00 and 17:00 in English and Russian, and during a 90-minute walk the participants had the opportunity to hear the story of the medieval castle, to see the mosque, the Turkish baths, the church of Ayia Napa, the historic buildings of the city’s centre and do their Saturday shopping at the Municipal market. On the same day, the municipality of Limassol also made sure that the public had free access to two of the city’s most important museums.
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AUGUST 2014
AIR MONTHLY NEWS Gulf Air Connects Larnaca and Kuwait
Germania to Arrive in Paphos
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n response to a rise in passenger demand, Bahrain’s Gulf Air has announced the introduction of a new twiceweekly service between Kuwait City and Larnaca, which commenced on October 26. Elaborating on the airline’s latest business move, Maher Salman Al Musallam, acting CEO, Gulf Air, stated, “Gulf Air’s latest development sees us building upon the positive response we have already seen to our Kuwait – Istanbul route as we strive to give our GCC passengers attractive connections and direct travel options. Launching the new, direct Kuwait – Larnaca route caters to the travel demand and is one more step towards offering our passengers simpler travel arrangements, while we continue to offer convenient connections between Bahrain and Kuwait.”
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n bega line der the r i a The ions un with a ia at oper German -300? 7 e 3 m na ng 7 Boei
ermania, one of Germany’s longest established airlines, is to launch flights to Pafos International Airport beginning March 2015 with seven flights per week departing from five different airports in the country; those are Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen and Erfurt. This move was welcomed by Pafos Regional Board of Tourism which announced that it will support the European carrier with promotional activities, as well as public relations and marketing campaigns in order to assure the success and expansion of the services in the near future. The airline’s global route network currently includes more than 150 international destinations in Europe, North Africa and West Asia.
Cyprus Airways Collaborates with National Express
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yprus Airways has partnered with National Express to offer travellers a coach service between Stansted Airport and central London. National Express runs frequent services all around the UK, throughout the day and night, thus Cyprus Airways passengers can now conveniently reach their destination after arriving at the British capital’s airport.
AUGUST 2014
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MONTHLY NEWS AIR Wizz Air Launches a New Base in Romania
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ow-cost airline Wizz Air celebrated the opening of its fifth Romanian base in Craiova. Initially deploying one Airbus A320 from the hub, the airline introduced four new routes from Craiova to Barcelona, Bologna, Dortmund and Rome Ciampino, and increased the frequency of existing services to London Luton and Milan Bergamo. “This is an important milestone for our presence in Dolj county and indicates our commitment to offer Romanian consumers and their visitors affordable fares, coupled with an excellent travel experience. Our brand new based Airbus A320 will further enhance the travel opportunities in the Romanian market and we look forward to many satisfied passengers and a fruitful partnership with Craiova Airport,” commented Daniel de Carvalho, corporate communications, Wizz Air Group.
Ryanair Unveils Business Plus
Hermes Airports Organises Coastal Cleaning Event
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ith more than 25 percent of its customers travelling on business, Ryanair has unveiled its Business Plus product targeting Europe’s corporate travellers with a tailored suite of benefits including flexibility on ticket changes, fast track security at selected airports, priority boarding and premium seats. The airline is also to launch a second global distribution system partnership to complement its dedicated corporate and groups service, allowing more companies to save on business travel expenses through lower air fares. Kenny Jacobs, chief marketing officer, Ryanair, said, “Businesses are becoming smarter with their travel and over 25 percent of our customers already travel on business.”
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H Hermes Airports’ Team at Coastal Cleanup
ermes Airports successfully organised a coastal cleaning event in the vicinity of Larnaka International Airport. The event was held to mark the International Coastal Cleanup Day, which is integrated in the environmental initiatives undertaken by Vantage Airport Group, one of Hermes Airports’ shareholders. Hermes Airports’ staff members, as well as other volunteers from the airport community, participated in the cleanup effort, which was also supported by Kapnos Airport Shuttle, Larnaka Municipality and Hellenic Tzilalis. NOVEMBER 2014
ACCOMMODATION MONTHLY NEWS Kanika Introduces First All-inclusive Hotel in Paphos
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t this year’s National Wedding Show in London, Birmingham and Manchester, Kanika Hotels introduced its most recent member of the family, Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos. Set to open in June 2015, the new all-inclusive hotel’s package will feature a variety of gastronomic options in five different restaurants, five indoor and outdoor bars, a kids club, teens club and a nightclub for adults. Aside promotional wedding packages offered, newlyweds can enjoy their honeymoon in the adults-only accommodation wing and pools, while guests can discover the family holiday paradise with themed pools, leisure facilities and wellness spa.
Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos
Larnaca to Welcome New Hotels in 2015
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ourism has been and will continue to be one of the most important areas of social, cultural and economic development of Larnaca. Whilst our district holds a smaller share of tourist arrivals which accounts for the 10 percent of total arrivals to the island, this is mainly due to the reduced number of beds available to Larnaca,” commented Dinos Lefkaritis, chairman, Larnaka Tourism Board, on the occasion of World Tourism Day. He, however, went on to say that the city will soon welcome five new tourist accommodation units, while some properties which have been closed for years will go operational again in 2015. Larnaca will also host a luxury hotel at Kimonos Square, for which construction is scheduled to begin in 2016.
NOVEMBER 2014
Akamas Health Farm Helps in Keeping Fit
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kamas Health Farm & Spa is one of the first hotels to have joined the Cyprus Breakfast Programme and is to adopt its breakfast buffet to the initiative’s requirements. The Cyprus Breakfast programme falls within the responsible tourism initiatives taken up by Cyprus Tourism Organisation in close cooperation with UK’s The Travel Foundation and Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Association. The hotel’s culinary team is set to enrich its gastronomic panorama with an imaginative a-la-carté breakfast, inspired by the traditional Cypriot cuisine prompted by its involvement in the programme, while the Droushia-based property is now a proud beneficiary of The Cyprus Breakfast label.
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
MSC Cruises Partners with Chicco
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In an effort to offer an ideal cruise holiday for families with young children, MSC Cruises has partnered with Chicco. he Italian baby care brand and MSC Cruises are aiming to make a range of Chicco products available to families in purposebuilt children areas on six ships of its fleet. The well-being of babies on board
the cruise ships is at the heart of the partnership, which assists parents in handling the everyday schedule of a baby such as feeding, napping and changing, through the availability of a wide choice of Chicco childcare products and equipment.
Uncertain Future for Russian Holiday Trips
Pafos Zoo Welcomes New Wild Cats
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he latest findings of IPK International’s World Travel Monitor indicate that Russia has become a booming market in international tourism, reporting continuous double-digit growth since 2000. Between 2010 and 2013, Russia accounted for about one-third of the growth in foreign trips by Europeans, becoming Europe’s third biggest foreign travel market in 2013 with around 32 million trips abroad. However, recent events appear to have cast some doubt over forecasts for continued growth, as Martin Buck, director of travel and logistics, Messe Berlin, commented, “Unfortunately, the weak Ruble, the Crimean crisis and the problems in Ukraine indicate that growth rates in the Russian market are stagnating.”
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yia Napa - Protaras - Famagusta Region Tourism Board released a new tourist map in order to promote the tourism product of the region,and provide visitors relevant information and guidance. Its informative chart shows in detail with small pictures all the attractions that are located in the territory of the free Famagusta area. Furthermore, an explanatory text is also available in English for each region. The map is distributed free of charge through the information offices of Cyprus Tourism Organisation, the municipalities of the Famagusta region, as well as hotels, other tourist resorts and many central locations.
MSC Cruises Ship
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New Tourist Map for Famagusta
SELAS Publications Recognised
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afos Zoo has added wild cats to its growing collection. The zoo welcomed a pair of Carcal wild cats which have now settled into their new purpose built enclosures in the new wild cats area of the zoo. Pafos Zoo is further awaiting the arrival of two other species of wild cats in order to complete the area.
t a ceremony held in the UK by the International Cartographic Association, SELAS Publications was honoured for its contribution to the field of guide mapping and received one gold and three silver awards. The company won the top prize in the category Best Travel Guide Mapping for its thematic itineraries at the Stroumbi community. SELAS Publications also secured silver awards in the categories Best Geographical Atlas, for its world atlas prepared for the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, Best Digital Data Product for its mobile application Map Cyprus, and lastly, Best Folded Map for the road and tourist map of Cyprus.
NOVEMBER 2014
INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY NEWS Athens International Airport Awarded at World Routes
S
AIA
cooping yet another prestigious recognition, Athens International Airport (AIA) has been highly commended at this year’s World Routes, which took place in Chicago between September 20 – 23. The category in which AIA excelled was that of four to 20 million passengers, and this recognition has officially made it the most awarded airport at Routes events, with a total of 13 accolades. Ioanna Papadopoulou, director of communications and marketing, AIA, stated, “This distinction, our 13th in a row, rewards the successful cooperation we have with the airlines operating at Athens International Airport and reflects their appreciation for the targeted incentives and the marketing support programmes offered to them, aiming to successfully promote and strengthen their presence in the Athens market.”
In focus
Europe’s Airports Report 4.6 Percent Growth in July
E
uropean airport trade body, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe released its traffic report for July, which indicated that passenger movements at Europe’s hubs grew 4.6 percent compared with July 2013. More specifically, passenger growth at airports in the European Union (EU) reported a robust increase of four percent year-on-year. The respective figure for non-EU airports in Europe rose by a more impressive 6.3 percent over the same period. Olivier Jankovec, director general, ACI Europe, commented that while Mediterranean countries have generally registered solid growth in passenger traffic along with Romania, Hungary, Ireland and the UK, the performance of other countries including France, Germany, Poland and Finland has been disappointing.
Who are you? I am Sophia Paraskeva, marketing and public relations (PR) manager at Limassol Marina. When did you join the industry and why? I have been working at Limassol Marina since 2008. [...] It is such a fascinating project and Limassol is my home town. Playing my own part in promoting it as a destination was a no-brainer. I had to get involved. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? The benefit of travel is experiencing other cultures and meeting such a diversity of people. Different faces, varying mentalities, interesting conversations and new chapters in life never bore me.
NAME:
Sophia Paraskeva
POSITION:
Marketing and PR manager
COMPANY:
Limassol Marina
LOCATION:
Limassol, Cyprus
WEBSITE:
www.limassolmarina.com
NOVEMBER 2014
Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? I would love to go on a safari and immerse myself in nature. Why is Cyprus an ideal destination to visit? There is so much choice here, all with the backdrop of continuous warm weather, blue skies, Blue Flag beaches, an abundance of history and culture, as well as ample international communities and cosmopolitan leisure or social facilities to bridge the gap between traditional and modern. People tend to feel at home in Cyprus. The friendly environment, wide use of the English language and short distances provide ease of access with plenty of opportunities to explore every corner of the island.
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TRAVEL TALK
[Cyprus encompasses] a rich history and culture spanning 10,000 years
ZACHARIAS IOANNIDES Director general, Cyprus Hotel Association
“The main competitive advantages of Cyprus are the climate and sunny conditions prevailing [...], its location being the nearest European destination for the Middle East and North Africa countries, and its small size encompassing a rich history and culture spanning 10,000 years. All the above, coupled with the high standard of services offered by the hotel industry, modern airports and good tourism infrastructure, can help reposition Cyprus amongst the most popular all-year-round tourist destinations in the Mediterranean.”
Our square is the new heart of Limassol
SOPHIA PARASKEVA Marketing and public relations manager, Limassol Marina
We are continuing to invest in improving our range of concept hotels
MARK HALL Director of product, Thomson
“We are delighted to announce that Sensatori Resort Aphrodite Hills is now on sale to customers looking to holiday in one of the most exclusively located resorts in Cyprus next summer. We are continuing to invest in improving our range of concept hotels, a trend which is actually accelerating, with a record level of investment set to be ploughed into our Sensatori resorts for summer 2015. By building on the fantastic existing infrastructure, we plan to bring the resorts on par with the unique luxurious holiday experience our customers expect.”
“[Arts in the Square] is an initiative that aims to support local artistic creativity, offering a dynamic often found in other European cities integral to the cultural development of local communities and their tourism. Our square is the new heart of Limassol. We wanted to offer something alternative, to encourage artistic ideas and create a memorable experience for our visitors.”
[The festival] enabled the public to experience selected artistic performances
COSTAS KADIS Minister, education and culture, Cyprus
“KYPRIA International Festival, an institution which has survived two decades of life, [was] held this year between September 3 – October 8. As in previous years, this year’s festival hosted artistic projects from the fields of music, dance and theatre. The festival also preserved the main lines of its policy; it provided an opportunity for Cypriot artists to produce high-quality cultural events while it held similar events from abroad.”
TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradecyprus.travel
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NOVEMBER 2014
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE CYPRUS: With a history of over 75 years, CHA is one of the longest established tourism organisations in Cyprus, and one which witnessed the many changes in the island’s tourism industry. How has Cyprus’ tourism sector evolved in the past decades? ZACHARIAS IOANNIDES: With the declaration of Cyprus’ independence in 1960, the government prioritised the tourism sector, thus giving rise to the rapid development of the seaside resort areas of Famagusta and Kerynia which assumed a leading role until the 1974 invasion and the tragic events that led these two resort areas to remain under occupation by the invading forces regrettably until nowadays. Since then, the rapid development of our tourist areas, during the golden era of 1980s and 1990s, has contributed to our sector becoming the main pillar of the Cyprus economy, leading to the achievements of the record year of 2001 which saw the arrival of 2.7 million tourists and revenue from tourism reaching EUR2.2 billion. Since then, a declining trend followed with tourist arrivals stagnating around 2.4 million annually. TRAVEL TRADE CYPRUS: Turning challenges into opportunities has been one of the most ubiquitous slogans used on the island in the past months. What is CHA’s role in reviving the island’s tourism industry following the setback in 2013? ZACHARIAS IOANNIDES: Following the calamity of the Eurogroup decisions of March 2013 and the banking crisis, our association has been instrumental in passing the message worldwide that the Cyprus tourism industry is operating business as usual, through a frequently asked Q&A enlisting that was communicated to all our partners, airlines, tour operators, travel agents and our regular repeat visitors to Cyprus. In addition, CHA supported a group of hotel industry professionals in the campaign Summer is Cyprus, communicating similar messages through the various social media, including testimonials of tourists while enjoying their holidays in Cyprus. In parallel, CHA has been instrumental in activating a dynamic coordinated effort with all the key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to provide the necessary support to the NOVEMBER 2014
Q & A with Zacharias Ioannides
DIRECTOR GENERAL, CYPRUS HOTEL ASSOCIATION
demonstrated remarkable growth rates, it was imperative to streamline the tourist and hotel product of our country so as to respond to the specific needs of the corresponding segments of the above mentioned markets. For this reason, a large number of hotels had proceeded with renovations and other product enrichment investments by adding facilities – spa and wellness centres, gyms and theme restaurants – aiming to fulfil the needs and expectations of their respective clientele. TRAVEL TRADE CYPRUS: CHA aims to attract in excess of three million arrivals annually within the next five years. How is this going to be achieved?
CYPRUS HOTEL ASSOCIATION (CHA) HAS AMONGST OTHERS SET A CONCRETE PLAN TO LURE IN MIDDLE EASTERN, UKRAINIAN AND CHINESE TOURISTS, WITH A VIEW TO ATTRACT 3.5 MILLION VISITORS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, ACCORDING TO ZACHARIAS IOANNIDES, DIRECTOR GENERAL, CHA. airlines and tour operators in order to maintain their programmes for Cyprus, as originally planned. As a result, the tourist arrivals of 2013 recorded only a minimal drop of two percent versus 2012, whilst the revenues from tourism impressively increased by eight percent. TRAVEL TRADE CYPRUS: Tourist arrivals to Cyprus from the island’s traditionally strong feeder markets have
plummeted while other untapped markets such as Russia and Ukraine, have notably increased. What are the specific requirements of those segments and how should hoteliers follow those to capture an adequate percentage of those markets? ZACHARIAS IOANNIDES: By categorising our feeder markets into the ones that had followed a declining trend in recent years and the ones that have
ZACHARIAS IOANNIDES: [...] This strategy is based on the following threefold approach: to regain the lost ground from existing traditional markets (UK, Germany and other European markets), to ensure the growing trend of existing markets (Russia, Ukraine, Israel), and to develop untapped markets for Cyprus which possess great potential (Middle East and Gulf countries, China, India and Japan). Key parametres for the success of the strategy are improved accessibility with frequent air communication links and the expansion of a successful mechanism for the expedited visa issuance, thus capitalising on the already frequent direct flights to Cyprus from all the major air carriers of the Gulf region and giving us access to the major Asian markets with their respective direct air links. TRAVEL TRADE CYPRUS: What are CHA’s organisation’s main priorities at the moment and for 2015? ZACHARIAS IOANNIDES: Our main priorities are to foster three-year cooperation agreements with the main airlines and tour operators, in order to ensure increased programmes for Cyprus on an all-year-round basis from our existing markets, thus effectively confronting the challenge of seasonality in tourism and improving our competitiveness through a range of actions [which include] enriching the hotel and tourism product and further enhancing the already high standard of hotel services. [...] The ultimate goal is to be able to offer to our visitors value for money, and consequently transforming them into loyal repeat visitors to our island and the most formidable ambassadors of our country.
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NEWS & EVENTS Dancing the Night Away in Paphos
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aphos hosted a street dance event for the public to enjoy a flash mob style dance at Love Square, in the city. The event, Urban Dance Moves, saw dance artists Georgios Pillas and Sylvia Clark from New York, in collaboration with Dance Culture Pafos, taking part in a creative and interactive evening of street art culture, in support of the Pafos 2017, European Capital of Culture.
Apple Festival Held in Kyperounta
C
yprus Tourism Organisation and Troodos Tourism Board organised the Kyperounta Apple Festival. The event included demonstration of food and beverages made of apples, preparation of the famous apple juice jellylike cream palouze, distillation of zivania made from apples, and demonstration of traditional arts and crafts. Folk music and dance performances by a local dance group were also presented at the festival. Troodos Tourism Board offered bus transportation to the venue from both Limassol and Nicosia.
Remarkable Performance at Pafos Aphrodite Festival
T
hree opera performances of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s masterpiece, Così Fan Tutte, which took place at the 16th Pafos Aphrodite Festival in September, left viewers captivated. The famous opera was a co-production of the Pafos Aphrodite Festival Cyprus Company and the Lyric Organisation Opera Futura from Verona, with the participation of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, the lyric choir of Pafos Aphrodite Festival and the Amintore Galli choir of Rimini, Italy. Nicos Anastasiades, president, Cyprus, emphasised that the Pafos Aphrodite Festival has become an established institution, and is an important cultural event of international appeal which contributes to the promotion of both Paphos and the whole of Cyprus.
EVENTS GRAPE FEAST 2014 Κoilani Village November 9 www.visitcyprus.com Under the special theme Opening of Wine Clay Jars- Revival of the Ancient Pithygion, the event includes free wine and gastronomy tastings.
ZIVANIA FESTIVAL Alona and Pelendri Villages November 9 and 16 www.mytroodos.com The two villages both hold their own festival to celebrate the Cypriot alcoholic drink of zivania on two consecutive weekends.
CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL 4 DAY CHALLENGE 2014 Paphos November 20 – 23 www.cypruschallenge.com An annual running event with four different races, where runners set off in 10 second intervals and run against the clock.
ONCE UPON A TIME... THERE WAS MUSIC Larnaca, Nicosia, Limassol November 20, 21 and 22 www.cyso.org Musical educational concerts with the participation of Larnaka and Famagusta Music Lyceums Choirs.
PCCI Reaches Out to India
R
avi Bangar, high commissioner to Cyprus, India, visited Paphos and met with Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), were he was given a presentation on the investing potential Paphos holds. The two parties discussed issues of visa policies
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with regards to linking the two countries more easily and providing better chances of investments. Moreover, during the meeting the delegations exchanged views on the development and expansion of business cooperation and the prospect of direct air links between India and Pafos International Airport.
NOVEMBER 2014