APRIL 2016 - ISSUE 38
04 GENERAL
06
POSITIVE START FOR CYPRUS' TOURISM
EUROPE’S TALLEST RESIDENTIAL SEAFRONT PROJECT UNVEILED
12 EMIRATES CELEBRATES LARNACA – ATHENS ROUTE
02 Market Update
11 Sports Tourism 16 Travel Talk
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
LIMASSOL PORT TO GENERATE EUR2 BILLION IN EARNINGS
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Pauline Shahabian CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic
Limassol Port
PRESS Maria Demetriadou Inna Armeanu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis
According to recent business plans, in the next 25 years, the state will register a revenue of EUR2 billion from the commercialisation of Limassol Port, Marios Demetriades, transport, communications and works minister, Cyprus, revealed.
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@traveltradeweekly.travel
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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
e went on to clarify that after the signing of three respective contracts with the successful bidders, expected to be concluded this month, the government will receive EUR10 million in advance, and will then collect benefits based on the turnover generated by each contract.
STADEMOS THRIVES IN 2015
WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515 neil@globetm.com
Elysium
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com
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Stademos Hotels released its 2015 results, showing surges in both turnover and gross operating profit before depreciations.
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he group’s turnover rose to EUR28.77 million, compared to EUR25.99 million in 2014, driven by the acquisition of a new subsidiary in the second half of the year as well as the good performance of Elysium, the company’s five-star property in Paphos.
APRIL 2016
MONTHLY NEWS
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Eleftheria Square rendering
Vision for Eleftheria Square Comes Closer
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icosia‘s Eleftheria Square is one step closer to completion following the laying of concrete on the ramp, east of the open area. The inclined plane will connect the square with D’Avila Moat, where works for tree planting and overall transformation are well underway.
CEMR 2015 meeting in Vienna
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icosia is braising to host the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) conference between April 20 – 22. The congress, which gathers its members and partners every four years, will include more than 30 sessions focussing on issues such as governance and leadership; economy and finance; business, technology and innovation; society and culture; environment, climate and energy; cooperation and partnerships; as well as European integration.
APRIL 2016
Constantinos Yiorkadjis
Plans for Nicosia’s Future Revealed
Nicosia Goes European
DID YOU KNOW... CEMR members include 60 associations from 41 countries representing more than 150,000 municipalities, cities and regions?
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onstantinos Yiorkadjis, mayor, Nicosia; Agni Petridou, city engineer, Nicosia Municipality; and the architect Athina Papadopoulou, head, Nicosia Master Plan Office, recently came together at a gathering to discuss the capital’s prospects. The three key speakers highlighted the visions for Nicosia’s reunification, plans for developing the city, reopening of commercial streets and ways in which citizens imagine Old Nicosia in a reunited Cyprus.
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MONTHLY NEWS
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THE YEAR STARTS OFF POSITIVE FOR
Cyprus' Tourism
FOLLOWING 2015’S SUCCESS, THE TOURISM INDUSTRY HAS CONTINUED ON ITS STEADY UPWARD PATH WITH JANUARY REGISTERING A 16.3 PERCENT YEAR-ON-YEAR BOOST IN ARRIVALS, WITH 48,607 TRAVELLERS.
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he UK, Russia, Germany, Greece and Israel reported double-digit growth, with the latter sending 23.1 percent more visitors than in the same month in 2015. For the period between November 2015 and this January, there was a year-on-year surge of 30.5 percent registered with arrivals to the island exceeding 235,000.
The Year 2015 Proves Profitable
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yprus Tourism Organisation confirmed that tourism income in December 2015 increased 20.4 percent year-onyear to EUR52.6 million, driving the annual figure to over EUR2.11 billion – a 4.4 percent
surge over 2014. The national authority deems this a very satisfactory development, especially following unfortunate events related to the all-important Russian market.
Cyprus Outperforms European Average
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nternational arrivals to Cyprus rose 8.9 percent year-on-year in 2015, outpacing the average five percent growth rate recorded for the continent by the European Travel Commission (ETC). As ETC’s data shows, despite a sharp 12.7 decline in guest nights by incoming tourists, foreign arrival figures ranked the island as the ninth fastest-growing European country destination in 2015. Demand from Germany once again surged in excess of 20 percent, numbers from the Netherlands also improved 32 percent, but the big surprise came from France with Cyprus being the fastest-rising destination for French travellers.
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APRIL 2016
MONTHLY NEWS
www.traveltradecyprus.travel
Hotel Association Members Gather in Nicosia
L Seminar at Hilton Park Nicosia
ouis Hotels and Hilton Park Nicosia jointly hosted the Cyprus Hotel Association’s annual seminar. During the event, the hotelier offered participants the chance to enjoy a Cypriot breakfast buffet that is available at all properties operated by the company across the island. Members of the organisation also had the opportunity to taste traditional delights and obtain The Art of Breakfast in Cyprus and Greece cooking book with innovative recipes.
Larnaca Trains Industry Members
Larnaca salt lake
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arnaca Tourism Board organised a special educational tour for the city’s hotel staff, travel agents and other industry professionals. All participants at the Get to Know Our Charming Region meeting were accompanied by a licensed guide. The initiative was aimed at informing Larnaca’s workforce on how to promote the city to visitors, since they are the ones who have the most and direct contact with tourists. This year, the tour included a visit to the salt lake where BirdLife Cyprus enlightened participants about the area’s fauna.
DID YOU KNOW... Larnaca Salt Lake comprises four lakes, three of which are interconnected?
APRIL 2016
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MONTHLY NEWS One: Europe’s Tallest Residential Seafront Project Unveiled
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Limassol Marina Incentivises Foreign Investment
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afilia Property Developers has officially put its flagship development in Limassol on the market. Hailed as the most groundbreaking venture in Cyprus to date, the 37-storey property is set to further enhance the city’s image. Offering high-end seafront living, exclusivity, and security of investment, ONE is set to become an iconic address not only on the island but in the whole region. With 84 opulent apartments, the development will elevate the meaning of luxury living in Cyprus to a new level.
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imassol Marina’s management has prepared specific property proposals aimed at assisting non-European Union (EU) citizens looking to invest in Cyprus. A new scheme for the acquisition of Cypriot passports or citizenships allows non-EU member state nationals to put in EUR2.5 million in a collective investment, worth at least EUR12.5 million, accompanied by a property purchase of EUR500,000 in value. Should the applicant buy into a privatelyowned property alone, the additional deal is no longer required. Reaffirming its commitment to helping clients throughout the entire procedure, Limassol Marina offers assistance in property search and purchase.
Paphos Supports European Initiatives
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Paphos Mosaics
One
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afos Regional Board of Tourism announced its partnership with a new project put forward by Interreg Europe, labelled CHRISTA: Culture and Heritage for Responsible, Innovative and Sustainable Tourism Actions. The new venture, whose lead partner is the Belgium-based European Cultural Tourism Network, aims to protect and preserve natural and cultural heritage assets and deploy them for the development and promotion of innovative, sustainable and responsible tourism strategies. Other partners of the project include tourism associations and communities in Italy, Sweden, Spain, Latvia, Portugal, Bulgaria and Romania.
APRIL 2016
MONTHLY NEWS
www.traveltradecyprus.travel
Religious Tourism to Boost Bulgarian Ties
Israel Remains Important for Paphos
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Bulgaria
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iming to boost interest from the Israeli market, Pafos Regional Board of Tourism took part in the 22nd annual international tourism exhibition IMTM in Tel Aviv. One of the authority’s main goals was to promote the city as the ideal wedding or short-break destination. The number of Israeli visitors to Cyprus rose 43 percent year-on-year in 2015, reaching 98,000 travellers. In light of this, Pafos Regional Board of Tourism intends to encourage direct connectivity between Paphos and Tel Aviv or Haifa with regular year-round services.
Paphos Aims to Boost Ukrainian Arrivals
Haifa
he government inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bulgaria for cooperation in the field of tourism to promote cooperation in cultural travel, with a special focus on religious tourism. The initiative envisions an exchange of experiences in tourism promotion, planning and marketing of related activities and the exchange of information. The MoU also seeks to encourage national travel associations, agencies and transport companies to take steps towards cooperation in organising joint programmes and increasing traffic between the countries.
DID YOU KNOW... Israel was the sixth largest inbound market for the island in 2015?
Switzerland Gets a Taste of Cyprus
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Kiev
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ollowing an initiative by Ukrainian tour operator Travel Professional Group and its representative in Cyprus, Attica Holidays, Pafos Regional Board of Tourism held a workshop at Constantinou Bros Athena Royal Beach Hotel. More than 100 travel agents took part in the programme, which offered them the opportunity to meet with industry stakeholders and get acquainted with Cyprus and Paphos in particular. In 2015, a 23 percent increase in arrivals from Ukraine was recorded with tourist numbers reaching 51,000. Pafos Regional Board of Tourism is considering the possibility for new charter flights from the Eastern European country to Paphos.
yprus was the hosted country at the Ferienmesse St.Gallen tourism expo in Switzerland. Under the official status, the Mediterranean destination was promoted through mass and social media campaigns, and speakers during the opening day praised Cyprus as a quality tourist spot. Cyprus Tourism Organisation took part in the exhibition with its own dedicated space where visitors had the chance to experience authentic Cypriot music, dance, ceramics and hagiography making, as well as traditional food and drinks.
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MONTHLY NEWS Stone Museum Reveals Local History
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Paphos Promoted in Birmingham
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arios Panayides, district officer, Nicosia District Administration, recently signed a contract for the creation of a stone sculpture museum in Lympia. The facility, which will be the first of its kind in Cyprus, will emerge from the restoration of a conserved building in the community. The first floor of the edifice will house mining and stone processing exhibits, mainly tools, and on the second one, sculptures and various structures will be on show. In this way, visitors can familiarise themselves with the way of stone extraction and processing, which is directly linked to the economic activity and life of Lympia.
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team representing Pafos Regional Board of Tourism, municipalities of the region, hoteliers and wedding organisers participated in Birmingham Wedding Show. Aiming to boost the city’s image as the ideal wedding and honeymoon destination, the delegation showcased Paphos’ credentials in a stand under Cyprus Tourism Organisation’s overall umbrella.
Fig Tree Bay
Protaras Beach One of the Best in Europe
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ripAdvisor announced the winners of its Travelers’ Choice awards for beaches, honouring 343 seaside locations, among which was also Fig Tree Bay in Protaras. Determined based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings on the travel planning and booking site gathered over a 12-month period, the Cypriot bathing site was in the list of the top 25 beaches in Europe, ranking in the ninth place. At the top of the same directory as the best places to have a swim were Playa de Ses Illetes in the Balearic Islands, Elafonissi Beach in Greece and Praia da Marinha in Portugal.
APRIL 2016
MONTHLY NEWS CTO
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Cyprus to Host ETC Meeting
CTO Transfers Limassol Office
Old Limassol
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n a bid to upgrade travellers’ experience, Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) inaugurated operations at Limassol’s city centre. The authority’s branch has been relocated from Ayiou Andreou street and is now near Limassol Old Port at the Cyprus Ports Authority’s new premises. The already popular location is expected to cater sufficiently well to foreign and domestic tourists alike, more so after the launch of all the new retail and food and beverage outlets at the port, as well as the regeneration of Syntagma square.
Tourist Guides Meet
Austrians to Discover Cyprus’ Beauty
C CTO Seminar
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yprus Tourism Organisation successfully concluded its annual tourist guides seminar at Filoxenia Conference Centre. During the event, Maria Aristidou, vice president, Cyprus Tourist Guide Association, addressed participants in a the welcome speech, while Annita Demetriadou, deputy director general, CTO, analysed 2015’s good performance. The programme also included lectures on recent archaeological excavations, ancient theatres of Cyprus, the island’s medieval history, and the country’s present and future financial status.
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yprus Tourism Organisation welcomed the European Travel Commission (ETC)’s decision to hold its annual general meeting on the island. The event will be hosted in Famagusta between May 11 – 12, following a proposal submitted by Annita Demetriadou, deputy director general, CTO, during the commission’s last meeting in Belgrade in October 2015. According to CTO’s announcement, the decision is a proof of trust from European authorities.
yprus Tourism Organisation joined hands with Austrian tour operator Senioren Reisen, which caters to senior travellers. The deal is expected to boost the numbers of Austrian visitors to the island in 2017 and 2018 when Senioren Reisen launches the offering. Expected to generate some 7,000 arrivals annually, the holiday packages will include hotels in the Ayia Napa and Protaras areas from March to May.
APRIL 2016
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MONTHLY NEWS SPORTS TOURISM
Ayia Napa Attracts Football Teams
Paphos Successfully Hosts Marathon
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yia Napa hosted a number of football clubs from Russia, Romania, Armenia, Switzerland, Serbia, Poland, Lithuania and China for their traing sessions. Due to the particularly good weather conditions, elevation and nature routes, the destination is considered ideal for daily workouts.
Logicom Cyprus Marathon
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he 18th Logicom Cyprus Marathon took place in March, having attracted over 1,300 participants who ran from Aphrodite’s Rock to Paphos Castle. With runners hailing from 32 countries, including Lebanon, the US, Canada, Belarus and Kuwait, the marathon was supported by a number of foreign travel agencies who undertook the athletes‘ arrival and hosting while on the island. The sport gathering also included a halfmarathon, a 10km race and a 5km fun run.
Paphos: Strong Presence on Sports Map
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yprus Tourism Organisation, Pafos Regional Board of Tourism and private industry players collaborated to host the Serbian football team FC Crvena Zvezda. Following the initiative, the board called for the creation of new sports facilities, such as football fields, and for revising the infrastructures’ charges. Pafos Regional Board of Tourism predicts that in the next few years, visits from football teams and tract athletes will increase, while at the same time, there is also a good potential for attracting sportsmen from the fields of golf, triathlon, biking and swimming.
APRIL 2016
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MONTHLY NEWS AIR
Giorgos Ioannidis, managing director, Louis Travel (right), Asma Al Rahma and Louis Loizou, executive director, Louis Group
Emirates Celebrates Larnaca – Athens Route
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mirates recently marked the launch of direct services between Larnaca and Athens. Held under the theme Hello Athens, the cocktail party brought together prominent figures from across Cyprus to celebrate with Asma Al Rahma, country manager, Cyprus, Emirates. The UAE carrier has long been operating flights between the island and Dubai and it has recently extended the itinerary to the Greek capital. Currently five weekly frequencies are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays onboard a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
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easyJet: Three Million Passengers to and from Paphos
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asyJet has flown three million travellers to and from Paphos since its first flight to the city in 2008. Moreover, in 2015, the airline carried over 420,000 passengers and achieved a market share of nearly 20 percent on the route. Reminding that easyJet also takes off from Larnaca, Maria Kouroupi, senior manager, marketing and communications, Hermes Airports, said, “We are committed to working jointly with airlines to promote Cyprus’ air connectivity for the good of the economy, Cypriot citizens and tourism.”
Top Kinisis Travel's press conference
Charters on Halted Routes Relaunch
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ollowing a successful collaboration in 2015, Blue Air, Top Kinisis Travel and Xenos Travel joined hands to offer charter flights to a number of Greek islands and other European cities, having started this month. The deal will also see the recommencement of direct links from Cyprus to destinations such as Zante, Corfu and Milan, among more, said Lakis Pashias, director, Xenos Travel. He explained that this year, the two tour operators will be able to offer the holiday packages at lower prices than in 2015. Tudor Constantinescu, chief commercial officer, Blue Air, added that since the airline launched its Larnaca base one year ago, the Cypriot travelling public has embraced Blue Air’s services with average load factor on scheduled routes exceeding 85 percent. According to Constantinescu, this is a sign that the carrier can further invest in the market and enhance the island’s aviation sector, and this is why Blue Air has stationed a second aircraft in Larnaca in March.
APRIL 2016
MONTHLY NEWS TRANSPORTATION
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Airtrans Group Expands Cargo Operations
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irtrans Group launched operations in a new 5,000m2 cargo warehouse at Larnaka International Airport. The new premises are adjacent to the logistics, air and ocean cargo specialist’s current premises, next to the customs warehouse of the airfield. Airtrans Group is hailed to be the only company to have its own secure dedicated handling facilities with an additional 4,000m2 area, specially constructed with warehouse, offices space and yard areas. The new privately-managed area is the largest in size at the airport and it provides the right conditions for even dangerous goods as well as live animals.
New Aeronautical Company Coming Soon
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his year will see the creation of a new governmental entity which will provide aeronautical services, Marios Demetriades, transport, communications and works minister, Cyprus, revealed. The ministry is working on the relevant bill to be put forward as soon as possible. Demetriades also added that until now, the air control services provided in the country’s airspace have been funded by its users and this practice will continue after the launch of the new body.
Alternative Means of Transport Highlighted
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uring an event announcing the winner of a related photographic competition, Marios Demetriades, transport, communications and works minister, Cyprus, stressed the importance of sustainability in the ways people move around. “Sustainability in mobility should be sought through the promotion of those modes of transport which have the smaller environmental and social impact; and sustainability in accessibility [should be achieved] through reducing mobility on motorised means, utilising people’s autonomy,” he said. Praising the use of bicycles, Demetriades commented that the ministry is planning to soon link all universities in Nicosia with the city centre, as well as Pedhieos River Linear Park, by means of biking routes.
APRIL 2016
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MONTHLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Stademos Hotels Renovates Yet Another Suite
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Dolphin Capital Launches New Resort
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n line with the company’s commitment to the highest quality of accommodation, Stademos Hotels has remodeled another unit at Mediterranean Beach Hotel in Limassol. Following the recent full refurbishment of Aura Presidential Suite, Areti also received a fresh new look with smart lighting, LCD TVs and new furniture carrying the signature of famous designers. In addition, the property’s cooling and heating system has been also upgraded with the latest technology chillers, which, besides delivering better results, also contribute to the hotel’s sustainable and green practices.
Mediterranean Beach Hotel
Amanera
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olphin Capital Investors, a global investor and developer of luxury establishments in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Latin America, including Apollo Heights Polo Resort in Limassol, introduced its latest lifestyle offering in the Dominican Republic’s Cabrera. Amanera consists of 25 villas and offers extensive dining, spa and recreational facilities. The resort is the first golf-integrated property by Aman and stretches over 8km2 of land and Atlantic seacoast. “Amanera Villas will herald a new era of elegant living in the Caribbean, and from the heart of a destination that is very much at the forefront of today’s travel and lifestyle industry,” said Katerina Katopis, director, Dolphin Capital Investors.
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aphos-based St George Hotels Spa & Golf Beach Resort joined the collection of REWE Reisen’s newlylaunched COOEE Hotels. Now bearing the name COOEE St. George Hotel & Golf Resort, the property will reflect the brand’s concept which is based on four pillars aiming to satisfy modern guests’ needs, culinary experiences, service, connectivity and feel-good factors. REWE Reisen is under the umbrella of DER Touristik, one of the leading tourism groups in German-speaking countries, catering to six million travellers per year.
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COOEE St. George Hotel & Golf Resort
St George Hotel Now Under COOEE
APRIL 2016
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RENDEZVOUS
Q & A with
TRAVEL TRADE CYPRUS: What are the main changes for the property and how is the deal expected to boost the resort’s image in the local and international markets? Which will be the target segments after the reboot?
PANAYIOTIS MARKOU SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER, COOEE ST. GEORGE HOTEL & GOLF RESORT
WITH THE PROPERTY CHANGING FACE AND NAME, PANAYIOTIS MARKOU, SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER, COOEE ST. GEORGE HOTEL & GOLF RESORT, UNVEILS THE NEW COOEE CONCEPT AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE HOTEL.
TRAVEL TRADE CYPRUS: What is the new deal between the hotel and German company Rewe Touristik all about? PANAYIOTIS MARKOU: The agreement to launch the new COOEE concept for Cyprus was made in 2015. [We were] approached by Rewe Touristik to be the first hotel in Cyprus to implement this new concept; with its unique location and design St. George Hotel fulfils the requirements of the consistent style of COOEE which evokes high brand recognition. Originally, two hotels were scheduled for this summer – one on the west coast and one on the east coast – but eventually, only one launch will be materialised, this being COOEE St. George Hotel in Chloraka, Paphos. APRIL 2016
PANAYIOTIS MARKOU: COOEE is more than just a motif hotel. It reflects the lifestyle and beliefs of today’s generation. COOEE focusses on the modern needs of guests and satisfies the wishes of today’s customers. Improvements will be made on culinary, service, connectivity and good feeling level. A unique innovation will be the COOEE Bistro, which is at the heart of the concept and is identified through a modern and unique design. The COOEE service surprises guests with small goodies, enlightens their day and creates a ‘wow’ effect. The little surprises stay in the mind of the guests and show the interest and happiness of hotel members for having them as guests. Our lives today are driven by connectivity. Wi-Fi is more important than sea view; therefore, connectivity must be available in all hotel areas, including the rooms, pool, restaurants and lobby. This marks a tremendous part of the COOEE concept and is a decisive unique selling point. One of the main goals is to make the COOEE guest feel comfortable and experience a relaxed and enjoyable time during their holidays. Therefore, we want to stimulate this feeling by offering different feel-good opportunities such as diverse sport, wellness, and relax/chill-out possibilities offered throughout the hotel. We expect to boost the resort’s image both in the local as well as the international market with a primary focus on the German-speaking segments, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Being COOEE is more than just becoming a motif hotel. It reflects the lifestyle and beliefs of today’s generation in a more than ever competitive tourism market and [those of an] increasingly demanding customer. COOEE focusses on the modern needs of guests and satisfies the wants of today’s customers, and so do we.
TRAVEL TRADE CYPRUS: What are the management’s immediate plans in order to introduce the changes? PANAYIOTIS MARKOU: Most implementations will be fully ready by the start of the official summer season. The public areas and room concept details required will be ready [soon], as well as the COOEE Bistro and Relax Chill Out Zone. The same applies for the immediate introduction of the consistent style of the COOEE which evokes the high brand recognition. TRAVEL TRADE CYPRUS: How is the hotel aiming to compete with similar establishments in Paphos or in Cyprus following the rebrand? PANAYIOTIS MARKOU: Currently, we see more and more of the trend to develop high brand recognition establish-
ments with various tour operators. As mentioned earlier, the launch of two COOEE hotels was originally planned and only one will be implemented this summer. Further expansion and implementation of this concept [in Cyprus will be] very limited. Our aim is to secure our position and market share in this new trend, which is becoming ever more important, by focussing on the modern needs of today’s customers.
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Our reviews […] are a testament to our hard work
“Being a resort that prides itself for offering exceptional value for money and superior service, our reviews [on TripAdvisor] are a testament to our hard work and commitment to delivering the very best customer service […] to our guests. We are proud to have been recognised by TripAdvisor with the Travelers’ Choice Award for this year.”
SENIOR ROUTE MANAGER, EASYJET
We will promote innovative and sustainable tourism
“Following our successful participation in many European initiatives, we continue our collaboration with other destinations to promote sustainable cultural tourism, and this is important for Paphos as it will be established as a top destination. The city has active contribution to cultural tourism and in the new [CHRISTA] project we will promote innovative and sustainable tourism developments through a detailed action plan.”
DIMITRIOS SCHOINAS
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We are a reliable partner of the local economy “We have come a long way since launching the first flight from Paphos eight years ago, and since then, we have been investing here where we are proud of having carried nearly three times as many passengers as the island’s population. With large operations at both Pafos and Larnaka International Airports and 10 destinations served to and from Cyprus, we are a reliable partner of the local economy that we support by bringing hundreds of thousands of tourists to the island every year.”
We have chartered a total of 96 flights
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, TOP KINISIS TRAVEL
AKIS KELEPESHIS
EXECUTIVE MANAGER, PAFOS REGIONAL BOARD OF TOURISM
NASOS HADJIGEORGIOU
GENERAL MANAGER, ST RAPHAEL RESORT, LIMASSOL
DEMETRIS DEMETRIOU
TRAVEL TALK
“Following the successful deal in 2015, we are repeating our collaboration with Xenos Travel and Blue Air. For the summer season, we have chartered a total of 96 flights with the Romanian airline and we will be offering holiday packages to destinations such as Kavala, Chania, Lefkada, Skiathos, Corfu, Zante, Rhodes, Santorini and Milan. Passengers will be allowed to check in a bag of 20kg as well as a 5kg hand luggage, they will be offered a snack onboard, soft drinks and coffee, while they will be served by a Cypriot crew which will make them feel more comfortable and welcome on the flights.”
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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APRIL 2016
WHO’S MOVED
DRAGOSH DUMITRESCU is the new addition to Mediterranean Beach Hotel’s workforce, as a management trainee. In his position he will be focussing on bar operations. He joins the team with rich experience in the beverage sector, aiming to introduce a wind of freshness and a dynamic perspective to the Limassolbased hotel’s bars. Dumitrescu is expected to play a key role in maintaining and further improving the level of services offered at the property.
CHARIS PAPACHARALAMBOUS
Dumitrescu will be focussing on bar operations
CHARALAMBOS HADJICHRISTODOULOU
DRAGOSH DUMITRESCU
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CHARALAMBOS HADJICHRISTODOULOU joined the team of the Paphos-based five-star hotel Elysium as the new chief engineer. He is a qualified mechanical engineer with years of experience in the specific post in the hospitality industry. With extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for what he does, Hadjichristodoulou will now contribute to the property’s efforts to provide guests with the highest level of luxury and comfort during their stay.
Hadjichristodoulou has years of experience in the hospitality industry
CHARIS PAPACHARALAMBOUS has been appointed CEO of Meeting Point’s subsidiary in Cyprus. Papacharalambous takes over the Nicosia-based destination management company from Brigitte Kasseroler, who will oversee FTI Group’s operations in Cyprus, Greece and Tunisia as group head of destination. Papacharalambous recently served as general manager of Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency. He also spent several years with Louis Group, where he led Louis Hellenic Cruises in Piraeus. All in all, he has 20 years’ experience in the international tourism industry with management positions in the hotel industry, destination management as well as the tour operating businesses.
Papacharalambous has 20 years of experience
APRIL 2016
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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STELIOS PHILANTHROPIC AWARDS ATTRACT ATTENTION
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MORE FLAMINGOS PREFER LARNACA THIS YEAR
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n the occasion of a flamingo-themed photo competition, Larnaka Tourism Board and BirdLife Cyprus revealed that the number of the birds making a stopover at the city’s salt lake increased to 12,500 this year. Prompted by the board’s contest, many locals and tourists visited their habitat to admire the wading species and took advantage of bird-watching equipment made available by Larnaka Tourism Board and BirdLife Cyprus.
ver 650 people have joined Stelios Philanthropic Foundation’s Stelios Cyprus Bi-Communal Awards 2016 group on Facebook, which was created to promote bi-communal cooperation on the island. The group garnered strong interest in just two weeks and many of the team members, mainly Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, are now looking for partners from other communities in Cyprus to join forces and apply for participation in the awards which offers the winners a total of EUR500,000.
Charity gala dinner
HERMES AIRPORTS SUPPORTS SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
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s part of Hermes Airports’ endeavours to support the mission and social work of Agios Spyridonas Special School in Larnaca, a charity gala dinner was held at Larnaka International Airport. Organised in partnership with CTC-ARI, the event included various live performances by both pupils as well as famous musical artists. The total amount raised exceeded EUR7,000 and has gone entirely towards the support of the school’s special needs students.
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APRIL 2016
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PHOTO ALBUM
ElĂŠa Golf Club hosted the Strawberry Tour final
Atlantica Bay Hotel team enjoyed a themed cocktail break
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to.
Airtrans Group awarded the winner of its contest with two tickets to any EGYPTAIR destination
Atlantica Miramare Beach Hotel is always ready for new guests
APRIL 2016
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Carnival mood was on at Ajax Hotel in Limassol
Horse sriding at Aphrodite Hills Resort, Cyprus
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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS
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HORECA EXPO CONCLUDED
LEGION RUN CYPRUS Nicosia April 02 www.legionrun.com Back in Cyprus for a third season, the event is more than a run promising a thrilling, dirty, fun, adventure that will give participants an adrenaline buzz.
LIMASSOL MARATHON GSO Limassol April 10 www.limassolmarathon.com A special year for the marathon as it will celebrate its 10-year anniversary, with 2015’s event having hosted 10,000 runners and thousands of spectators.
16TH INTERNATIONAL PHAROS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
O
rganised by Arvani Investments in collaboration with Cyprus Chefs Association, Gastronomia HoReCa recently took place at the grounds of Cyprus State Fair. The biannual exhibition was attended by professional cooks, confectioners, bakers, bartenders, owners and managers of hotels and restaurants, as well as by people working in food services, tourist facilities, culinary schools and in related fields both in Cyprus and abroad. Gastronomia HoReCa was first launched in 1995 with the aim to cover the needs of Cypriot professionals engaged in culinary activities.
Nicosia May 01 – June 30 pharosartsfoundation.org The organiser, Pharos Arts Foundation aims to promote artistic excellence by bringing audiences in contact with some of the most exciting and talented musicians of the Cypriot and international scene.
STREET ART TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN AYIA NAPA
ROSE FESTIVAL
Street Art in Ayia Napa
Agros, Limassol May 13 – 20 www.agros.org.cy During the festival, visitors will have the chance to participate in the local workshops and learn all about the distillation of roses.
F
or the second time, Ayia Napa Street Art Festival took over the city for 10 days in March. People who choose the streets as their gallery and urban dwellers were urged to decorate the town’s walls with artwork emitting positive emotions. With the municipality’s strong support, organiser Paparazzi Art Studio spent a lot of time fostering an event which has gradually grown into an international festival and hosted artists like AEC Interesni Kazki from Ukraine, Jens Besser from Germany, L7M from Brazil, Bisser from Belgium and many others.
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APRIL 2016