Cyprus Holiday Blog

Cyprus tourism to reach record low this summer

2009-06-23T11:30:00.002Z

Cyprus's tourism industry is bracing itself for the worst summer season on record as the global financial crisis hits the pockets of tourists, edging Cyprus closer to a recession.

With tourism arrivals to the eastern Mediterranean island down 8.9 percent by May, authorities have clamoured to reverse forecasts of a massive 20 percent drop in arrivals during the holiday island's high season.

Locals worry that British tourists - over half of total arrivals to Cyprus - will holiday elsewhere this year, after a survey in April found Cyprus was the fourth least 'value for money' destination due to sterling's weakness against the euro.

'A drop in tourism this year is one of the reasons why we will see very low GDP growth,' said Michalis Florentiades, head of economic analysis and research at Hellenic Bank.

Official data showed that tourism revenue for 2008 represented 11 percent of the island's GDP, from 2.4 million arrivals.

This month, Cyprus's central bank forecast 0.4 percent growth in the island's economy for 2009. The Finance Ministry sees 1.0 percent growth, down from 3.7 percent in 2008.

'I estimate that Cyprus will not go into a recession, but it will get very close,' said Stelios Platis, an independent economist.

The island, a euro zone member since Jan. 2008, is the only country among its peers to expect growth this year.

Hoteliers in Cyprus believe that this year's experience has prepared them for the worst.

'We need to turn this crisis into an opportunity and spend time improving and rebranding our tourism product,' said Harris Loizides, president of Cyprus Hoteliers Association.

The government introduced a 51 million euro support package in tax breaks and visa waivers to support the tourism sector
but tourism officials say this has come too late. 'The measures came late, but they are paying off,' said Loizides.

However, UN World Tourism Organisation data showed that popular destinations such as Malta and Croatia have seen their arrival numbers plummet between 18 and 20 percent.

Meanwhile, analysts are optimistic that last minute bookings will curb the drop in arrivals.

'People have cried wolf too many times in the past about tourism, which does have a tendency to improve at the last minute,' said Hellenic Bank's Florentiades.

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Thirsty Cyprus looks to golf to rescue tourism

2009-03-17T09:33:00.002Z

Cyprus turns into near desert in the summer and is counting on desalination to provide green fairways for golfers and save the country's troubled tourism industry.

But environmentalists fear the impact of building a dozen more desalination plants to enable the number of golf courses on the island to multiply from three to 17.

To cope with serious drought - which saw Cyprus reservoirs dry up this year - the eastern Mediterranean island is one of the main producers of desalinated water in Europe alongside Italy and Spain.

"The golf courses project is out of order! The aim is not to serve Cypriot tourism but business development and developers," protested Costas Papastavros, an agriculture and natural resources ministry official.

"And in order to serve this development we need a hell of a lot of extra water, and the energy," he said at a climate change conference in Nicosia.

The government says "there will be a desalination plant for each golf course and that they will request renewable sources of energy. But there is a gap between the theory and the practice," said Papastavros.

He calculated that about 30 million cubic metres (one billion cubic feet) of water will be needed for the golf courses, compared to the population's annual needs of 85 million cubic metres (almost three billion cubic feet) of drinking water.

For the past year, with reservoirs turned into parched dirt bowls during the summer by low rainfall, water to households has been rationed, with the mains supply running only three half-days a week.

But the left-wing government of President Demetris Christofias is pressing ahead with the golf courses rescue plan which was initiated by the previous administration, and the cabinet voted to pass the project in December.

Cyprus counts on revenues from its tourism sector, under threat from the global economic crisis, for 15 percent of its gross domestic product.

The global credit squeeze in recession-hit Europe is blamed for the slump in the local tourism market, with arrivals down 14.2 percent for the first two months of 2009.

"Bookings for 2009 are coming in slowly and there is a decrease in numbers compared to the same period last year," said Tourism Minister Antonis Paschalides, adding that 2008 was also a difficult year for Cyprus.

Hotel bookings are said to be around 25 percent down for this summer, with the government expecting an overall 10 percent drop in arrivals by the end of the year.

Paschalides said golf courses would allow Cyprus to win new markets and to extend the tourism season from the traditional summertime of sun, sea and sand.

"The water quantity needed for the irrigation of the golf courses will be produced by desalination units which will be working with renewable sources of energy," he said.

"With this decision the water balance in Cyprus will not be disturbed while simultaneously the use of renewable sources will increase."

Environmentalists are not convinced that such an expansion will not require fuel-fired energy generation and the emission of carbon dioxide which drives global warming.

"We are strongly opposed to this project," said Christos Theodorou, who heads the Federation of Environment and Ecological Organisations in Cyprus.

"Our main reason is the environmental cost which is unavoidable regarding the energy to produce water through desalination plants, the changes to wildlife, the use of chemical fertilisation, and pollution of undersoil."

Moreover, "every golf course is not limited in term of area, which means that they will be surrounded by luxurious villas and other infrastructure such as restaurants, hotels and swimming pools," he said.

Theodorou said the technology for the use of renewable energy was not advanced enough to keep up with such growth, while environmental awareness among the population was also off the pace in international terms.

"In Cyprus, we don't give much attention to environmental issues," said Papastavros. "Politicians are under pressure from rich people who want this kind of development. The main issue here is ... (building) apartments."

The government has approved more than 350 million euros (440 million dollars) in stimulus measures to stave off job losses in the key tourism and construction sectors which contribute a combined 30 percent of GDP.

Due to concerns that the global financial crisis will trigger lower tourism revenues the finance ministry revised its GDP growth forecast downwards to 3.7 percent for 2008, and a slower 2.1 percent for this year.

The European Commission estimates Cyprus' growth will be closer to one percent.

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A new "Las Vegas" in Cyprus

2009-01-29T11:30:00.001Z

Sixteen five-star hotels, a shopping center and marinas are amongst the projects to be completed by 2010 in Cyprus may result in turning the Magosa-Karpaz desert resembling Las Vegas.

There is practically no sector that remains unaffected by the global economic crisis. The construction sector, which had gained acceleration prior to the crisis, is especially experiencing a decrease in activity. Even, TOKI, the government's official construction company has put certain investments on the shelf for now. However, despite all of the current negative conditions there are certain investments that are still ongoing at full speed. In the Magosa-Karpaz region in Cyprus, investments including the development of hotels and a shopping center are amongst the projects that are still continuing on despite the worldwide crisis.

CONCEPT HOTELS ARE BEING BUILT

With the collaboration of the Northern Cyprus government and the private sector, a version of Las Vegas is being established in the region. The project is being referred to as a new 'Las Vegas' due to the fact that 16 five-star concept hotels are being built in Northern Cyprus. The projects include hotels that will resemble Italy's coliseum, Babel's Gardens, Artemis' temple and Noah's Ark. Within the scope of the project a 52,000 guest capacity will be available, when all of the new hotels are completed. The Karpaz Bay Resort will also include a marina with a 350-yacht capacity, which is anticipated to be completed in two years.

THE BIGGEST SHOPPING CENTER IN CYPRUS

In addition to the variety of tourism investments, the Big Old Bazaar is a shopping Center project which is aimed to resemble the Grand Bazaar. The Big Old Bazaar will encompass a 45 thousand meter square region, 18,000 of which will be enclosed. Forty-percent of the project's 850 units and 360 stores have already been sold. Giant brands such as Adidas, Nike, and Koton as well as all of Cyrus's national banks and certain Turkish national banks have already secured their spots in the center. Stores, with an 18-meter squared capacity are being sold at starting prices of 19,900Pounds Sterling. The price of the biggest store in the center, at 45 squared meters is priced at 67,000 Pounds Sterling. Store prices are anticipated to double when the project is completed.

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Exploring the ski secrets of Cyprus

2008-11-28T15:48:00.000Z

When you think of Cyprus, the image that will probably spring to mind will be of a sun-kissed island destination in the Mediterranean - famous for summer holidays, a beautifully relaxed pace of life, excellent cuisine and welcoming people.

This image is of course accurate and it covers many of the reasons why people choose to holiday in Cyprus, invest on the island and even relocate to live in Cyprus. But this image doesn't tell you everything about the destination - because Cyprus is an island for all seasons. Not just a picturesque place in the summer, but an island with an emerging winter sports scene, where you really can ski in the morning for up to four months of the year, and then head to the coast and swim in the sea in the afternoon.

The appeal of Cyprus as a ski destination is gradually growing as the offerings available at the Troodos Village ski area improve, and as word spreads about the charming features of the island's winter sports destination. The appeal is also growing as the annual Federation Internationale de Ski giant slalom and slalom competitions that take place in the Troodos, gain wider recognition and also importance on their annual ski events calendar. In 2009 the competition will take place in early March, and for those who want to practice, the ski season in Cyprus runs from late December to early April.

The ski slopes in Cyprus are located around Troodos Village, also known as the Troodos Skiing Resort, it's situated on a col between Mount Olympus and one of the other peaks of the range. There are hotels in and around the village, some excellent restaurants and generally speaking, the facilities available to skiers are improving. There are a total of four main slopes that appeal to all levels of skier, and it's possible to hire ski and even snowboard equipment onsite, or buy it from a limited number of sports shops in Limassol and Nicosia.

The cost of a days ski pass or even an hours private tuition is incredibly cheap by international ski standards, and the affordability of the resort as well as its striking Alpine charm is just another reason to choose the Troodos Village ski resort in Cyprus.

Because Cyprus is such a fascinating island, most people combine skiing in Cyprus with sunbathing, swimming and sightseeing too. In the Troodos Mountains alone there are literally hundreds of sights to witness - from rare flora and fauna to stunning views, from ancient monasteries to the Cedar Valley - and across the whole of the island you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to thinking of things to do!

According to Martin Pearce, Sales Manager at Aristo Developers, leading real estate developers and property experts in Cyprus: "the fact that Cyprus offers its visitors such a wealth of entertainment options all year round means that it is of maximum appeal to those who seek so-called jet-to-let property investments; i.e., overseas investment properties located in destinations where there is strong rental demand for up to 12 months of the year."

"What's more, Cyprus has a very strong reputation as a favourite choice with those seeking a second home or holiday property. This is quite simply because use and enjoyment of such a property is not limited to a brief summer season period. Therefore, whatever your reasons for buying property abroad, chances are, Cyprus is a destination worthy of your closer inspection."

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Paphos airport is ready to open

2008-10-15T15:04:00.001Z

The new Paphos International Airport in Cyprus, designed by Pascall & Watson Architects with Canadian designer Stantec, has been completed for Hermes Airports.

The 18,500sq m passenger terminal will serve 2.7 million passengers a year and includes retail and relaxation areas, VIP accommodation and parking facilities.

The project is part of a 25 year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract with French firm Bouygues Batiment International as the design and build contractor, to upgrade air travel in Cyprus.

A second airport at Lanarca, which will handle 7.5 million passengers, will open in November 2009.

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Fewer than half of Cyprus’s tourists stay in hotels

2008-10-15T14:20:00.004Z

Fewer than half of Cyprus's tourists stay in hotels, according to data released by the Statistical Service, while around one-sixth stay with relatives and friends.
Between January and August 2008, on average 48.6% of tourists stayed in 1- to 5-star hotels, while 17.9% stayed in "hotel apartments or tourist villages".
According to the data, 5.6% stayed in "owned residence" and 11.2% stayed in "other", unnamed accommodation.

Paphos regions hosts over one-third.

The Paphos region - Paphos and Polis - was host to 35.6% of tourists in the first eight months of 2008, which implies that this region alone attracts 860,000 tourists each year.
Paralimni and Ayia Napa in the east together hosted 26.6% of tourists in January-August. Limassol attracted 14.5% of visitors, Larnaca 10.2% and the inland capital, Nicosia, only 7.7%.
Cyprus's potential for tourism in the picturesque Troodos mountains evidently remains underdeveloped, with the "other" category attracting only 5.3% of visitors.

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Population of Cyprus nears 800,000

2008-10-07T11:30:00.000Z

The population of the Republic of Cyprus is around 789.300 according to a new report out today.

At the end of 2007, the population had recorded an increase of 1,4% on the previous year.

According to the report by Cyprus Statistical Service (CyStat), the population in the district of Nicosia was 310.900 at the end of 2007, in Famagusta 43.700, in Larnaca 131.900, in Limassol 226.700 and in Paphos 76.100.

69.9% of the population resided in the urban areas of Cyprus, while 30.1% resided in rural areas.

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Paphos Opera Tickets Nearly Sold Out in Cyprus, Winter Events in Early 2008

2007-08-28T09:22:00.003Z

23 August 2007

Last minute ticket sales are going well for next weekend's ninth Paphos Aphrodite Festival, featuring Giuseppe Verdi's third operatic success, Il Trovatore, at the medieval Paphos castle with the organisers saying that less tickets remain unsold compared to the same time last year.

Stella Siepi, the General Coordinator of the publicly-owned venture that includes local municipalities, the Paphos Chamber of Commerce and the hoteliers association as its main shareholders, told the Financial Mirror that all 7,500 tickets are expected to be sold this year, compared to some 1,000 that remained unsold last year.

"The good seats are going fast and with foreign sales accounting for about 45% of all, there are not many left," she said, adding that the biggest grouping of ticket holders are traditionally from Nicosia.

"As soon as they see the stage going up, people will come forward for last-minute sales, for which we have a number of tickets in reserve."

But Siepi does not want to sit on her laurels. Looking ahead and keeping a balance between good quality productions and sound finances is what is going to keep the Paphos opera afloat and on the international scene.

This year's production staged by the Abai State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of Kazakhstan will cost the organisers about CYP 235,000 (EUR 402,000), significantly less than last year's production of Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera" by the famous State Academic Mariinsky Theatre of Russia.

However, the finances seem to be better as income from sponsors and ticket sales will help keep a healthy balance sheet, while a long-term debt owed to the Paphos Municipality for the purchase of the 2,500-capacity seating construction is nearing its end.

First Whisky Store Opens at Cyprus Airport

2007-06-19T12:15:00.002Z

15 June 2007

'Uisge Beatha', the water of life, is the first of its kind malt whisky concept that has opened inside the partly refurbished Larnaca airport departure lounge with the aim of attracting the whisky connoisseurs and well-to-do travellers on their way to short or long journeys.

This pilot project is the brainchild of the marketing team of the airport's new management, CTC ARI Airports, and plans are underway to imitate the same shop-in-shop, located within the upgraded duty free store in other countries where the Hermes Airports venture partner Aer Rianta International has a presence.

Uisge Beatha is manned by a well-trained 'shopping advisor' who will guide the potential buyer through the initial selection of 61 Scottish single malts, that is expected to see a number of Irish malt whiskeys added very soon.

Tasting also takes place on the spot depending on the customer's preference or inquiries. Some of the 'most interested' are some Scandinavians and Russians who are prepared to spend big amounts for a quality whisky, while others are still rushing through trying to get the odd Scotch blend for the father-in-law and the cologne for the mother-in-law, while trying to catch the flight in time.

For the unknowing visitor, the best bargains are the Glenfiddichs for about a tenner while the most expensive in the store is a 30-year-old 'Glen' going for CYP 110 (EUR 187). This shop is expected to engulf whiskies and blends from other continents as well, such as the U.S., and is regarded as having the best whisky collection at any airport.

All four major Scottish malt producing areas are represented at Uisge Beatha - Highlands, Speyside, Islay and Lowlands and you can ask the shop keeper anything you want. If he doesn't know it (which he probably does), then he has a vast supply of books and other resources.

But it is not just quality brands and their nice display that will attract buyers to the shop. The company's management has secured competitive prices rating Larnaca Airport as one of the "most affordable" for whisky purchases.

"On some brands we have at least a pound's difference from outside market prices, but in the case of others we have resorted to special deals by incorporating taxes or other costs in order to make our shop attractive for new customers," explained Gerry Crawford, General Manager, CTC-ARI Airports that operates the Cyprus Airports Duty Free, as well as the smaller Xpress shops dotted around the airport terminal building.

"My objective is to completely demystify the sector for our consumers," said Crawford, adding that, "we will be initially specialising in distillery bottled editions as I think it is a lot more interesting and collectible for the consumer."

Cyprus, Greece Have Bragging Rights to the Cleanest Beaches in Europe

2007-06-12T09:05:00.000Z

10 June

The cleanest beaches in Europe are in Cyprus and Greece, according to a report released May 31 by the European Union. Cyprus had a score of 99 percent compliance with the EU's strictest standards, and Greece scored 96 percent. Spain's beaches scored 92.7 percent. At the bottom of the list was Luxembourg, whose beaches scored only 35 percent. The report on the 2006 season evaluated almost 22,000 beaches.

Fiji: The state of emergency imposed by Commodore Frank Bainimarama after a bloodless military coup in December was lifted Thursday. The regulations were necessary to ensure the safety of civilians and property, Bainimarama said. Anyone threatening public order will still face police action. Restrictions on the media and public gatherings will remain in place. Elections for a new representative government will not be held until 2010.

Spain: The Basque separatist group Eta ended its "permanent cease-fire" Wednesday, claiming that the minimum conditions for continuing negotiations with the government did not exist. The government halted peace talks in December after an Eta bombing at the Madrid airport killed two, an incident Eta claimed did not mean the cease-fire was over. Officials are concerned that the move by Eta may mean another attack is imminent, and it is likely that the government will take a hard line against the group after a year of pursuing a political settlement.

A Lifeline For Tourism

2007-02-05T10:05:00.002Z

The news that Cyprus is now just a handful of euros away from Vienna is excellent news for the island's beleaguered tourist industry.

SkyEurope Airlines, a central European budget carrier, will be flying to the Austrian capital for just 65 euros return, belatedly putting the island on the map of no-frills air travel. In the coming weeks, we can also look forward to the start of services operated by UK-based low-cost airlines Monarch and Excel.

Their services cannot come a moment too soon, both for Cypriot consumers and for the island's key tourism sector. The island had never made it onto the low-cost circuit - its five-hour flight time too long for the UK pioneers of cheap air travel; but at least with the arrival of Helios Airways, air fares to the island were brought down through healthy competition.

The demise of Helios in the wake of the 2004 tragedy returned to the established 'national carriers' their traditional dominance, with rising prices to boot, and falling numbers of visitors to the island. Indeed, this paper has received many letters from regular visitors finding it increasingly hard to find affordable fares and forced to look elsewhere for their holidays. We hope now that this trend will be reversed.

Budget airlines are an inescapable part of the European tourism scene. And neither are they the preserve of low-class yob tourism. On the contrary, they reflect the increasing desire of affluent European consumers to have cheap, easy options at their fingertips. They allow spontaneity, spur of the moment visits. And the very people likely to fly over to Paphos for a long weekend are those people with higher disposable income, making independent travel plans, and contributing far more to the local economy than the all-inclusive package customer.

Casinos in Cyprus a 'Necessary Evil'

2007-01-15T10:48:00.002Z

According to a report from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), the creation of casinos in Cyprus is a 'necessary evil'.

After the report, conducted by the CTO, it appears that 1,000 Greek Cypriots travel to the north each day to visit the casinos in the occupied areas, with this figure increasing to about 1,700 during the weekend.

On average, each person spends £92 during each visit, more than is spent by the Turkish elite - for whom the casinos were originally created as it is illegal for Turkish Cypriots to gamble at the casinos. On the whole, Greek Cypriots spend around £30 million a year during their visits.

It is not only on this that the CTO has reportedly decided that the creation of casinos would be beneficial, they could also act as a further tourist attraction to the island.

The introduction of two types of casinos is being examined, with two 'exclusive purpose' and one 'resort' casino deemed as the ideal combination for the island.

Low Cost Airlines Lead to Premium House Prices Abroad, reveals Savills Research and Holiday-Rentals.co.uk

2007-01-02T11:50:00.002Z

There is a price and rental premium for properties located near airports served by low cost airlines according to the results of a landmark survey carried out by Savills Research with www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk. This was one of the key findings of the survey which questioned over 12,000 owners of overseas property who use Holiday-Rentals.co.uk to advertise their properties.

Analysis of the sample of properties included in the survey showed that the average price of a property located within 10 miles of an airport served by a low cost airline is 39% higher than for similar properties within the same distance to an airport without a low cost airline carrier. The research showed that the impact of low cost airlines on property prices reduced as the distance from an airport increased - there was only a 2% difference in the average price of properties situated over 80 miles from an airport.

The survey revealed that properties served by low cost airlines had higher average rents than those without low cost airlines. The difference in average rent was as much as 30% for properties within 10-20 miles of airports.

Jacqui Daly, Savills Research comments. "The potential to charge higher weekly rents is enhanced by low cost airlines - because the travel costs are lower holiday makers are therefore willing to pay higher weekly rents for a holiday property. This is clearly important to investors as these properties are higher yielding assets."

The rental potential of holiday properties was one of the most important factors owners considered when buying foreign property, which highlights the fact that many are looking to rental income to help cover the costs of the investment.

Ross McGowan, sales director, www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk comments. "Marketing a holiday property on the Internet is the most efficient way to reach a large number of potential renters. It also eliminates the need to employ a property management company that will take up to 30 per cent or more of profits through commission, charges and fees."

In terms of the factors influencing price growth, well over half of respondents recognised that new emerging holiday destinations, characterised by a growing number of flights and low cost airlines, offered the greatest opportunity for price growth.

Daly again, "Interestingly the established medium distance destinations such as Cyprus and the Canary Islands, where the flight time is about 4 hours, reflect the greatest premium in terms of capital value because of the availability of low cost flights."

Monarch Launches Scheduled Flights from London to Cyprus

2006-12-19T11:26:00.003Z

Award winning low fares airline Monarch is to launch scheduled flights from London to Cyprus next year as the airline expands its network to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The introduction of the four times per week service from London Luton to Larnaca will be the first low-cost scheduled flights to Cyprus from the UK, offering travellers the flexibility and low fares, not currently available through high fare flag carriers or on charter services.

Monarch's new Larnaca service will commence on Monday 26 March 2007 with fares from £69.99 one way including taxes and web booking discount. Seats can be booked from Wednesday 20 December 2006 via flyMonarch.com.

Commenting on the introduction of services to Cyprus, managing director of Monarch's scheduled services, Tim Jeans said, "We are delighted to be the first low fares airline to launch scheduled services to the Eastern Mediterranean, a market that has historically been dominated by the flag carriers and charter services."

"Cyprus Airways and British Airways have operated a high fares cartel to Cyprus for decades which we'll break with our widely available, flexible low fares. Our new service will be warmly welcomed not just by the growing holiday and overseas property markets in Cyprus, but the 150,000 strong Greek-Cypriot community in London, who've been deprived of choice and low fares until now."

"Monarch's onboard service is also perfectly placed to provide an ideal level of service for the four and a half hour flight time, with extra legroom seating, free inflight entertainment - including full length feature films and the provision of hot and cold food all available."

Flights to Larnaca will operate on Monday, Tuesday*, Wednesday and Saturday using Airbus A321 aircraft with 213 seats.

Monarch operates scheduled flights to Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal from Aberdeen, Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester and was named as Leisure Airline of the Year in recent Travel Industry Awards.

Fares on Monarch flights include complimentary daily newspapers, a refreshing hot towel service and require no additional payment for checking-in baggage; also available is a unique range of tasty hot and cold meals with prices from £3.00.

Seats can be pre-booked at £5 per one-way flight to avoid the last minute free-for-all, or for only £15, why not try one of the 48 extra-legroom seats which offer up to six inches of extra space? Regular travellers are rewarded too, with a range of benefits through the airline's loyalty scheme, Vantage Club.

For more information or to book, visit www.flymonarch.com.

* Tuesday flights to Larnaca operate from 10 July 2007

Biometric Passports for Cyprus from Next June

2006-12-05T13:29:00.000Z

Cyprus will be introducing biometric identifiers into passports next year as part of an EU directive requiring all Member States to offer their citizens the facility.

A spokeswoman at the Interior Ministry yesterday told the Mail: 'we expect the first applications from the public in June 2007. They can either cancel their current passport and apply for a biometric one or simply let their passport expire before applying.'

The passports will include a microchip, which will store an individual’s fingerprints, facial image and electronic signature.According to the spokeswoman, the government is in the final stages of deciding which company to use.

'No passports have been ordered at this stage,' she said.

At the end of June, the European Commission adopted the second part of the technical specifications required for the introduction of biometric identifiers into the passport and other travel documents issued by Member States.

Vice-President Franco Frattini, Commissioner responsible for freedom, security and justice, declared that, 'this is a key step forward to render passports of EU citizens more secure and reliable. I am particularly proud.'

He added that the EU was among the first in the world issuing passport requirements with a high level of protection against unauthorised access by providing, 'Extended Access Control, while at the same time complying with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in order to ensure interoperability.'

The harmonised introduction of biometric identifiers in passports of EU citizens will also ensure that the identity of the holder can be easily established and will protect against identity fraud.

ID cards do not fall under the scope of the regulation. Currently, only Member States will have access to the fingerprint data. Whether access for third countries will be allowed has to be decided by the EC at a later stage. Nevertheless, full interoperability is ensured should the EU decide to give access to third countries.

Member States will have to store biometric information in their newly issued passports no later than June 2009.

The issue was discussed at Parliament this week, with the European Affairs Committee stating that they had not been properly informed of the government’s plans.

'There is a strong protest against the decision to hand over sensitive personal data of European citizens to the authorities,' said DISY spokesman Tassos Mitsopoulos.

He also contradicted the Interior Ministry's claims that no passports have been ordered. 'We have learned that an order has been placed with a German company, with the first deliveries expected in March next year.'

Famagusta Area

2006-11-21T09:54:00.000Z

The golden sandy beaches of the Famagusta district, Iying in the government controlled area, stretch out in the eastern corner of the island. The popular holiday making centres of Ayia Napa and Paralimni, have been called a veritable paradise for anyone who loves the sea and water sports.

The charming scenery includes the tiny fishing harbour of Ayia Napa, and the medieval monastery in the heart of the village, the wind mills and small churches in the surrounding villages, which spread out in the area of Paralimni and Protaras.

This region, which is the main potato-producing area on the island, is known as 'Kokkinochoria' which means 'red-soil villages', Indeed, the soil of the whole area is deep red in colour, due to a very high metal oxide content.

The villages of this area are equally known for their folk-poets, who are in fact regarded as the best on the island.

Places Of Interest

1. Paralimni

With the Turkish military occupation of Famagusta in 1974, this small town of 6,000 inhabitants, is now the main administrative town of the district. The twin aisled vaulted church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary is decorated with unusual 18th century porcelain plates. Parts of the church belong to the 13th century. Some other interesting churches can also be found in the area.

2. Ayia Napa

Originally a small fishing village, this is now a major tourist centre. The interesting mediaeval monastery dedicated to out Lady of the Forests stands in the middle of the village, surrounded by a high wall. Its 16th century church is partially underground, cut into the rock. The hostel, west of the church, belongs to the World Council of Churches. The ancient sycamore tree, in front of the south gate, is believed to be 600 years old.

3. Dherinia

The village has three interesting churches, the small domed 17th century church of Ayios Georghios, the 15th century Ayia Marina church, and a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary with excellent 17th century icons. The views from this village also include, the 'ghost' city of Famagusta, now under occupation of the Turkish army, once the most popular holiday resort in Cyprus, which has lain empty since 1974, as all its inhabitants are now refugees.

4. Sotira

At the east entrance of this village is the partially ruined church of Ayios Mamas, which was built around the 12th century, and later rebuilt in the 16th century. Most of the surviving frescoes date from the 16th century. About 1 1/2 km to the west, is the 16th century cruciform church of Panayia Khordajotissa, whose dome has been restored, and the church of Ayios Georghios. an early christian basilica with three aisles.

5. Liopetri

There is a 16th century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and a 15th century church of Ayios Andronikos, with an octagonal dome, and the remains of murals which can still be distinguised in the apse. Also, the basket making tradition continues at Liopetri.

6. Potamos Liopetriou

A picturesque fishing refuge, with the remains of a Venetian watch-tower nearby. The French poet Arthur Rimbaud worked in this area in the 1880s.

Ajet Not Flying Within Three Months

2006-11-07T13:47:00.000Z

03 November 2006

The former Helios Airways to shut down

Ajet, formerly known as Helios Airways, announced on Monday that it will be discontinuing its flight programme within the next three months. A press release issued by the company said arrangements have been made so that all scheduled flights will be performed as normal and passengers booked on Ajet flights will not be affected.

The company said passengers do not need to make any reconfirmation of their travel arrangements and new reservations can be made since all schedule flights will be completed.

After the development Greek Cypriot Minister of Communications and Works, Haris Thrasou, said that Ajet could not avoid any civil or criminal responsibilities that may be imputed to Helios Airways for the air tragedy of August 2005.

Commenting on Ajet's statement to discontinue its flight programme, Thrasou said there are 'set procedures and laws that must be taken into consideration when it comes to transferring the activities of any company from Cyprus to another country'.

Thrasou noted that this action does not mean that the company can avoid any responsibilities it may have. Earlier this month, President of the Greek Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board, Akrivos Tsolakis, handed to Greek and Cypriot Authorities the final report into the cause of the air crash that brought about this situation.

An independent commission of inquiry is currently carrying out an open public hearing procedure, and is expected to name those involved in the tragedy so that the Attorney General can bring criminal liability charges against those persons.

The conditions, under which the company, the planes and the crew got their licenses, were also examined during the procedure. The Commission is also examining how security and other checks were carried out for that specific flight and plane.

On August 14, 2005, a Helios Airways Boeing 737 on its way to Prague, via Athens, crashed into a mountain side north of the Greek capital killing all 121 passengers and crew on board, most of them Cypriot holidaymakers.

Silversea Set to Make Waves in 2007 with Debut of 'Privileged Passage'

2006-10-31T13:14:00.000Z

Silversea Cruises has announced plans to offer a groundbreaking ultra-personalized and ultra-inclusive vacation experience. Called 'Privileged Passage,' this exclusive new style of ultra-luxury cruise travel is set to debut on a select test voyage in 2007.

The company, long recognized as a luxury travel innovator and trendsetter with its flexible open dining concept, generous all-inclusive shipboard policy and unique Personalized Voyages program, is planning to take things to the next level by offering guests even greater personal freedom and flexibility in customizing their own cruise experience to suit their personal lifestyle, while incorporating an expanded and enhanced array of complimentary amenities and benefits. The new Privileged Passage concept is designed to showcase an active-lifestyle luxury cruise as a unique, nontraditional vacation experience.

The company's goal is to create an environment that allows guests to enjoy everything that has made Silversea a leader in luxury travel, along with a totally unstructured, non-regimented, casual and relaxed onboard atmosphere. Although Silversea already offers tremendous freedom, flexibility and all-inclusiveness, the new Privileged Passage style of luxury-cruise vacationing will push the envelope on luxury travel.

'In order to attract more first-time and nontraditional cruisers, we want to completely break the mold of the conventional cruise vacation and change travelers' perceptions about the rigidity and formality often associated with cruising," said Albert Peter, Silversea's chief executive officer.

'Due to the unique size of our vessels, we're able to take full advantage of our hardware to offer guests an intimate vacation experience that is truly personalized and designed by the guest to fit his or her individual lifestyle.'

The Privileged Passage program is set to debut on a test basis aboard Silver Whisper's 'Classic Reflections' voyage (4710), departing April 9, 2007. This extraordinary 10-day cruise will sail from Alexandria to Athens with calls in Rhodes, Patmos, and Mykonos, Greece; Antalya and Kusadasi, Turkey; Tartous, Syria; and Cyprus. Early Booking Incentive fares start at US 5,605 dollars per person.

Winter Wonders

2006-10-23T14:10:00.000Z

A sure sign of approaching winter in Cyprus is when the snowbirds arrive - literally. Greater flamingos, traditionally numbering around 10,000, stop to feed in the salt lakes at Akrotiri and by Larnaka Airport every year, usually in December after the first rains. Herons, egrets and glossy ibis also overwinter in Cyprus. But birds are not the only ones attracted by Cyprus’s mild winter weather.

This season is a great time for seniors (and anyone else fed up with the cold) from northern climes to come for long stays at a time when island life is decidedly low-key. Winter is brief, generally extending from mid-December to early February.

Diving and Watersports in Ayia Napa

2006-10-10T09:23:00.001Z

Located on the south eastern tip of the beautiful island of Cyprus, why not go Scuba Diving in the warm, calm, crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Ideally positioned in the friendly resort of Ayia Napa, services are provided to divers and non-divers alike. This is an ideal opportunity for non-divers to experience the wonderful underwater world, where you can experience weightlessness amongst the colourful array of marine life. Scuba Diving is becoming one of the fastest growing sports worldwide, why not see why.

Flights to Cyprus

2006-10-10T09:23:00.000Z

Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Belfast, Glasgow all fly to Cyprus. The island has been a favourite haunt of Brits for years and is well served by various tour operators including Thomsons, First Choice, Club 18-30, Sunset, Inspirations, 2wenty's, Cyplon, and Priceright holidays.

Cyprus Airways, British Airways, Air 2000, Virgin Sun and Monarch are just a few of the airlines that fly there. There are two airports on the island of Cyprus, Larnaca and Paphos. The one that serves Ayia Napa best is Larnaca. Transfer time from Larnaca airport to Ayia Napa is about 70 minutes and a taxi is rumoured to cost 35 pounds.

10 Years of Fun at Waterworld

2006-10-10T09:20:00.000Z

The year 2006 is a very special time for Waterworld Waterpark, Ayia Napa, as it marks the parks 10th year of operation. When Waterworld first opened its gates in July 1996 there were 9 attractions in the park however the last ten years has seen WaterWorld grow and grow and there are now 21 thrilling rides and attractions to entertain guests of all ages. Waterworld is officially the largest themed water-park in Europe. Everywhere that you look there are Ancient statues and columns expertly blended in with the landscape and all of the rides tell a mythological story. In the ancient Greek ambience you will find unmatched bathing fun and relaxation.

The theme maybe ancient Greek but the safety and standards are second to none, WaterWorld has fully qualified lifeguards on stand at every area in the park. WaterWorld has received 18 major international awards for excellence from the WWA (World Waterpark Association), IAAPA (International Association for Amusement Parks and Attractions) and the EWA (European Waterpark Association) in recognition of their world-class attractions. The park has also been awarded with ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 9001 and HACCP certification, proving WaterWorld to be not just a fun day out but most importantly a safe day out for the entire family.

WaterWorld has something for everyone for toddlers and small children they have the Trojan Adventure, with their very own giant Trojan Horse which is a play structure with multi-level platforms, slides, water guns and on the top there is a huge tipping bucket which can soak the entire family in seconds! There is also the Pegasus pool which has a zero depth entrance and is very shallow, it has floats and toys to keep the young ones occupied. Also for children there is Minotaurs Labyrinth, the only dry attraction in the park. It is an interactive play area especially designed to keep toddlers and young children entertained. The structure contains nearly fifty features and activities, all in one self-contained shaded area. For the older or not so adventurous visitor WaterWorld offers a variety of gentle slides including Apollos Plunge where you can sit 3 or 4 people in a giant ring and enjoy the experience together. The River Odyssey is a great place to relax whilst also taking in some of the scenery by floating gently around in a rubber-ring or you could go for a refreshing dip in Poseidons Wave pool or Aphrodites Baths.

There are also many other activities and attractions to be discovered during your visit. For the more adventurous thrill seekers WaterWorld offers their most innovative ride the Fall of Icarus, a world first which shoots you and a friend up towards the sun at high speed before you hurtle back down to earth backwards over humps and bumps to splash into the pool below. The Quest of Heracles is two slides themed as serpents wrapped around a huge mountain, the fastest ride in the park it takes less than 10 seconds from top to bottom. Zeus Zenith the kamikaze slide, where you can thunder down an almost vertical drop. The Chariot Chase which can accommodate 4 racers at one time. The Drop to Atlantis, which is over 20 metres high, with light, sound and visual effects within the ride. You will be sent speeding through 3 loops and various drops before reaching the 8 metre drop through the building of Atlantis to the sound of fanfare and a cloud of smoke, into the pool below. Young or old you are guaranteed a great day out at WaterWorld Waterpark, Ayia Napa.

Larnaca International Airport

2006-10-10T09:19:00.000Z

Larnaca Airport is situated in the Republic of Cyprus about 5km south of the City of Lanarca. The airport is undergoing a major expansion to take account of a significant growth in traffic in recent years.

Between 1985 and 2000, the growth rate in passenger movements was higher than the European Union average. In 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000 passenger movements were 0.82, 1.39, 1.80 and 2.38 million respectively.

As of early 2006, Larnaca handles 800 flights per month and 2.5 million passengers per year. The airport is the largest in Cyprus, and a key destination for holidaymakers going to the popular resort of Ayia Napa, just 46km from the airport's location.

The airport has 30 international airlines and 30 charter airlines using it at present. One of the major operators is Cyprus Airways who have a significant stake in the duty free and retail operations at the airport.

About Ayia Napa

2006-10-10T09:18:00.000Z

Ayia Napa was once a small fishing village in the south-eastern corner of Cyprus, now it's one of the island's major resorts and a hotspot for holiday-makers looking to have fun in the sun.Ayia Napa is a popular holiday destination for many Northern Europeans. It attracts two main types of tourists: young (and usually single) under-25s who are lured by Ayia Napa's international reputation as a party capital and families with young children who come for the wonderful weather, the excellent beaches and the parent-friendly facilities such as kids' clubs, a huge waterpark, go-karting, bowling and mini-golf.

The streets around the monastery in the centre of Ayia Napa are filled with dozens of bars and more than twenty clubs, all within a few hundred metres of each other.

The beaches of Ayia Napa, have lovely golden sand, clear blue water and are generally clean and safe. Many have been awarded a Blue Flag and have lifeguards on duty, as well as offering all the usual amenities such as water sports, umbrellas, sunbeds and showers. The most famous beach is Nissi Beach, which tends to be overcrowded.

Ayia Napa is not a place to come in search of tranquility and tradition. However if what you want is to have fun in the sun, this is the right place to be.

Things to do in Ayia Napa

2006-10-10T09:17:00.000Z

The vast, silvery sandy beaches along the coast of Ayia Napa are washed with warm waters that provide a myriad of opportunities for watersports, including water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, motor boats, pedal boats, parasailing, scuba diving and snorkelling.

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation supervises the beaches, many of which have Blue Flag status. Visitors can take excursions to places like Agia Thekla, four miles to the west, with a small offshore island, Makronisos Beach, a cluster of three sheltered bays, or to the historical city of Larnaca, 25 miles along the coast.

Jeep safaris around the island itself are popular, with attractions like the Caledonian Falls and the Byzantine Monastery of Kykkos waiting to be explored. The island's position in the Mediterranean also lends itself to making excursions to other countries, even Cairo and Jerusalem, for a night or two of sightseeing.