August 2009

NEWS FROM CYPRUS!




Dear partners and friends,

We are delighted to bring you the August issue of the Aeolos newsletter. We include some news about Cyprus related topics, and include some product news, plus the usual arrival statistics. We wish you find our newsletter both informative and enjoyable and look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions.

We wish you a happy read!

Rough times for tourism


The island’s hotel industry goes through rough times; the hotel owners announced that they will proceed with dismissals while hotels in areas such as Polis Chrysohous remain closed in July. The market circles warn for worse days to come, since many hotels will close for the winter season. They believe that expensiveness is the biggest problem. The representatives of the hotel employees are in alert due to indications for mass dismissals. Problems are more intense in Paphos and deliberations with the hotel owners are already in progress. On the other hand, the tourist circles talks about a drop in tourist arrivals and revenues in July and expect unemployment to rise. Chairman of the Association of European Tour Operators said that according to indications, the drop in tourist arrivals in July will stand at 15%. He also anticipates that things won’t change in August and September, while revenues of more than €300 million will be lost this year.

Source: www.stockwatch.com.cy

 

Pax arrivals to Cyprus by country

Pax arrivals per country Jan-June 09 vs Jan–June 08

(Source: CTO)

COUNTRIES

Jan-June  2009

Jan-June    2008

Change Jan-June
09/08 (%)

UNITED KINGDOM

430,782

505,639

-14.8%

GERMANY

62,153

57,917

7.3%

GREECE

59,113

62,800

-5.9%

SWEDEN

43,313

50,692

-14.6%

NORWAY

22,298

25,461

-12.4%

FINLAND

14,816

14,326

3.4%

DENMARK

11,406

16,097

-29.1%

FRANCE

13,643

19,075

-28.5%

SWITZERLAND

14,183

13,232

7.2%

NETHERLANDS

13,946

11,278

23.7%

BELGIUM/LUXEMBURG

12,244

13,700

-10.6%

AUSTRIA

9,897

11,135

-11.1%

ITALY

7,873

6,366

23.7%

IRELAND

6,431

10,755

-40.2%

SPAIN

1,783

1,326

34.5%

RUSSIA

60,757

66,785

-9.0%

BALTIC COUNTRIES

1,837

2,793

-34.2%

POLAND

5,734

7,570

-24.3%

HUNGARY

2,890

2,858

1.1%

CZECH REPUBLIC

5,621

5,645

-0.4%

BULGARIA

4,259

5,254

-18.9%

ROMANIA

9,183

9,644

-4.8%

SLOVAKIA

1,464

2,124

-31.1%

UKRAINE

3,127

3,432

-8.9%

SERBIA

1,517

1,566

-3.1%

OTHER EUROPE

6,437

5,984

7.6%

LEBANON

6,430

5,257

22.3%

JORDAN

1,667

1,561

6.8%

EGYPT

2,063

1,874

10.1%

U.A.E.

6,609

4,845

36.4%

SAUDI ARABIA

1,111

1,448

-23.3%

BAHRAIN

1,441

880

63.8%

KUWAIT

581

2,059

-71.8%

OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES

2,774

2,607

6.4%

ISRAEL

12,597

11,414

10.4%

USA

8,102

9,486

-14.6%

CANADA

2,308

2,599

-11.2%

AUSTRALIA

3,811

4,746

-19.7%

SOUTH AFRICA

2,567

2,685

-4.4%

OTHER COUNTRIES

4,230

4,934

-14.3%

TOTAL

882,998

989,849

-10.8%

Cyprus to host 2012 European Shooting Games

Cyprus will host the 2012 European Shooting Games for the third time. The Games were successfully held in Cyprus back in 2004 and 2008. According to a relevant press release, this decision was taken by the General Assembly of the European Shooting Confederation (ESC), which was held in Osijek, Croatia, on 10 and 11 July.

Cyprus had to compete with France and Finland, which also claimed to host the 2012 Games. It won the bid to host the Games, given that it had managed to successfully host the Games twice before in the past, the press release adds. Cyprus secured 45 of the votes, Finland 30 and France 11. The 2012 European Shooting Games will be the last shooting event before the London Olympic Games.

Source: July 13, 2009 – www.financialmirror.com

Cyprus to acquire its first wind park

Cyprus government signed on Friday a contract for the construction of the island's fist wind park, expected to be completed in mid 2010.

The park, one of the biggest in the Eastern Mediterranean, will have 41 wind turbines of 2,0 Megawatts each and a total capacity of 82MW. The park, to be constructed at Orites region in the western city of Paphos will cost 155 million euro and will be funded by the European Investment Bank with 65 million euro as well as from a partnership of other international banking institutions.




Source: July 31, 2009 – www.financialmirror.com

2 new airlines for Cyprus


Fly Baboo’, a Swiss carrier and the Greek ‘Astra Airways’ have inaugurated new routes to and from Larnaka International Airport, Cyprus. Fly Baboo started with its first flight on July 6, linking Geneva with Larnaka. The Swiss airline will make one route per week using an Embraer-190 aircraft. The flight will be carried out every Monday.

Greek carrier ‘Astra Airways’, began its new flight schedule on July 7, starting flights to and from Larnaka airport. The airline will connect Cyprus with various Greek Islands such as: Santorini, Kos, Skiathos, Rhodes and Mykonos. The flights will feature on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Upon greeting the two new airlines, Hermes Airports Ltd and representatives of the Cyprus Tourism Organization welcomed the passengers of the flights by offering traditional Cypriot sweets and drinks.

In his statement, Hermes Airports’ CEO, Alfred van der Meer welcomed the new routes to and from Larnaka International Airport noting that these services constitute an important development in a currently strained financial environment which has affected both Cyprus and the world due to the global recession. Fly Baboo and Astra Airlines represent an attractive choice for travelers with high demands and expectations.

 

Source: July 16, 2009 – www.financialmirror.com

Cyprus will become smoke free

A new law was approved, banning smoking completely in all closed public places in Cyprus. The law is set to come into effect on January 1, 2010. Smoking is allowed only in open and outside areas.

The law provides for a fine for those who violate its provisions but no prison sentence. In particular, the law provides for no more that 1000 euro as penalty for not posting a sign indicating that smoking is not allowed in a specific area, while whoever violates the provisions of the law as a smoker or owner of an establishment, he/she will have to pay a fine of no more than 2000 euro.

Source: July 10, 2009 – www.financialmirror.com

Product News:

Grand opening of Kanika Hotels & resorts – Olympic Lagoon Beach Club

The fifth hotel in the Kanika Group has opened its doors on the 1st of August. The newly constructed Olympic lagoon Beach Club, a luxurious 4* hotel opposite the popular 4* Olympic Lagoon Resort in Ayia Napa, is located directly on the golden Landa beach, one of the finest beaches in Ayia Napa.

Exclusive Services available to guests staying at the Olympic Lagoon Beach Club include:


  • 19 exclusive beachfront superior rooms
  • 32” plasma satellite tv in rooms
  • Luxurious bathroom with jacuzzi
  • Spacious balcony furnished with lounge chairs
  • In-room free internet access
  • Laptops available for hire
  • Complimentary tea & coffee facilities replenished daily
  • Express VIP check-in
  • Welcome wine/champagne and fruit
  • Use of facilities and amenities of the Olympic Lagoon Resort at no extra charge
New! Lasa Heights Hotel

LASA HEIGHTS is a small family owned hotel situated in the rolling hills above the town of Paphos. Part of the hotel, built in the 19th century, was for many years the village coffee shop and the natural meeting point in the area.

The old building has recently been renovated in the traditional Cypriot style and a new wing added. The hotel comprises 9 double rooms with en-suit bathrooms, arranged around a charming courtyard set with natural stone, in the middle of which stands a beautiful old olive tree. There are some stunning views towards the Akamas peninsula and the pretty port of Latchi.

http://www.lasaheights.com/

Lordos Hotel Apartments - small and friendly apart Hotel.

Combining the comfort and convenience of serviced accommodation with the freedom, privacy and security of your own home. Affordable accommodation, spacious apartments  centrally located in Limassol and only a minute walk to the beach between the town centre and tourist area, near Holiday Inn, next to Debenhams Olympia, within walking distance to dining and entertainment places.Hotel Services include:



  • Reception
  • Cafeteria
  • Broadband Internet , Wi-fi at the cafeteria and terrace
  • Lift
  • Daily Maid Service
  • T.V. Area
  • Baby Sitting Service
  • Laundry Service
  • Safe Boxes
  • Individually controlled air conditioning/heating  [optional at € 5 p/unit.]
Asimina Suites Hotel 5***** Paphos

Constantinou Bros are introducing the newly refurbished and upgraded Asimina Suites Hotel which will open its doors in April 2010. Having been one of the most popular hotels in Paphos for a number of years, The Paphian Bay has now been reconstructed to a 5 star offering guests the unique feature of spacious and luxurious suites coupled with superb hotel facilities in an impressive beach side setting.

ACCOMMODATION
121 Lavish Suites-24 Junior Suites
50 One Bedroom Suites
36 Superior One Bedroom Suites
10 Executive One Bedroom Suites with private swimming pool with
Jacuzzi bath
1 Two Bedroom Suites

SUITE FEATURES



Published monthly for travel partners & friends by:

Aeolos Travel
6, Zenas Kanther Street
CY-1065, Nicosia
P.O. Box 21236, CY 1504
Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel:00357 22 881281
Fax:00357 22 671522

www.aeolos.com

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