September 2009

NEWS FROM CYPRUS!




Dear partners and friends,

We are delighted to bring you the September issue of the Aeolos newsletter. Although summer is more or less over there are still plenty of festivals and events to be enjoyed the coming months. As always we like to update you on the latest arrival statistics and various other noteworthy items. 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!

Pax arrivals to Cyprus by country

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

(Source: CTO)

COUNTRIES

Jan-Aug  2009

Jan-Aug    2008

Change Jan-Aug
09/08 (%)

UNITED KINGDOM

744,352

871,297

-14.6%

GERMANY

83,139

78,775

5.5%

GREECE

86,314

92,027

-6.2%

SWEDEN

75,701

85,394

-11.4%

NORWAY

43,613

45,828

-4.8%

FINLAND

21,957

20,057

9.5%

DENMARK

22,035

27,680

-20.4%

FRANCE

19,611

26,031

-24.7%

SWITZERLAND

25,117

23,815

5.5%

NETHERLANDS

21,757

17,395

25.1%

BELGIUM/LUXEMBURG

18,407

22,348

-17.6%

AUSTRIA

17,900

18,049

-0.8%

ITALY

12,534

12,261

2.2%

IRELAND

12,980

17,738

-26.8%

SPAIN

2,350

2,240

4.9%

RUSSIA

105,070

125,144

-16.0%

BALTIC COUNTRIES

2,508

4,523

-44.6%

POLAND

11,060

14,134

-21.7%

HUNGARY

6,234

5,806

7.4%

CZECH REPUBLIC

12,566

11,918

5.4%

BULGARIA

6,060

7,204

-15.9%

ROMANIA

14,237

14,263

-0.2%

SLOVAKIA

3,051

4,218

-27.7%

UKRAINE

4,788

6,037

-20.7%

SERBIA

2,660

2,366

12.4%

OTHER EUROPE

9,783

8,725

12.1%

LEBANON

10,593

9,386

12.9%

JORDAN

2,682

2,254

19.0%

EGYPT

3,095

2,751

12.5%

U.A.E.

10,019

7,852

27.6%

SAUDI ARABIA

1,440

2,411

-40.3%

BAHRAIN

2,048

1,713

19.6%

KUWAIT

1,844

3,393

-45.7%

OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES

5,000

3,775

32.5%

ISRAEL

22,909

23,279

-1.6%

USA

13,161

15,510

-15.1%

CANADA

3,347

4,055

-17.5%

AUSTRALIA

6,814

7,914

-13.9%

SOUTH AFRICA

4,075

4,164

-2.1%

OTHER COUNTRIES

5,896

6,773

-12.9%

TOTAL

1,478,707

1,660,503

-10.9%

Transformation Planned for Limassol

Limassol city centre is due to undergo a massive transformation next year that upgrades the road system and overhauls the city in general. In combination with the planned marina project which will transform the old port area, the area around the medieval castle will form a natural connection from the sea front to the rest of the town according to a Limassol councilor. The upgrade aims to harmoniously combine all of the town’s characteristic elements of history, culture and architecture with tourism and daily life. The project is due to start with the castle and main commercial area in early 2010; plans have also been laid to complete the work in stages in order to inconvenience both locals and visitors as little as possible. The project aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve services with the construction of 4 new squares and the pedestrianization of surrounding streets; also on the cards is the creation of a multifunctional seaside park at the site of the current sea reclamation area. Pavements will be widened to encourage walking, more bicycle lanes will be created and the public transport system is also due to be upgraded. The total cost of the project is estimated at €44 million with 80% of the  total cost being supported by the EU Structural fund.

Source: Cyprus Mail 2009

The Village of Lefkara becomes famous

Lefkaritiko lace to be declared UNESCO cultural heritage

Traditional hand-made lace produced in the Larnaca district village of Lefkara – known as lefkaritiko – is set to be included in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in September. The tradition of needlework and lace embroidery in Lefkara goes back centuries. Famously, Leonardo Da Vinci visited Lefkara around 1480, and commissioned a large tablecloth incorporating a unique design which since then has been known as the “Da Vinci design”. He donated the embroidered tablecloth to Milan Cathedral, where the original remained until it was replaced due to damage 15 years ago.


The UNESCO decision to list lefkaritiko will facilitate the Municipality’s existing application to UNESCO for funding for its action plan to ensure the continuation of production and the promotion of lefkaritiko lace.

August 19, 2009 - www.financialmirror.com

Product News:


Columbia Beach Hotel & Resort makes the Tui Holly 2009 list

Columbia Beach Hotel & Resort - located on one of the most beautiful bays, the Pissouri Bay, in a secluded location on a wide unspoilt beach with rugged cliffs – has made the TUI Holly 2009 list. Tui Germany annually presents the Holly Award to its top 100 associate hotels, based on customer feedback related to the facilities and services.

 



Distinctions for Stademos Hotels

The hotels of Stademos Hotels, Elysium and Mediterranean Beach Hotel, have received 3 top awards from three of the biggest tourist organisations of the United Kingdom and Austria. The Elysium won the Golden Medal for best summer stay from Tui UK & Ireland. This is awarded to high quality and class hotels which combine a luxurious stay, impeccable décor, excellent restaurants, spa services and a good location. The Mediterranean Beach Hotel was awarded the ‘Marquee of Excellence Awards’ certificate by Thomas Cook and the certificate ‘HOTELO” for the provision of high quality facilities from Gulet Touristik of Austria.

 

 

New! Lefkarama Village Hotel

A family run village hotel in the centre of Lefkara, 35 minutes from Larnaca Airport. It consists of 10 rooms including a family suite. Two rooms have double beds and there are 6 rooms on the 1st & 2nd floors. All rooms have air-conditioning, en suite shower room & toilet. The hotel was originally built in the early 1900’s, in the traditional local stone with thick walls. Since then it has been used as an inn with accommodation for the original lace salesmen. They would come to the village to buy the famous Lefkarita lace and then travel all over the world selling these beautifully crafted napkins, tablecloths and other lace products. The building underwent a major rebuilt in 1989. The hotel is set around a colorful garden courtyard and offers plenty of shade. In season guests can feel free to pick oranges!


 

 

 

 


For more information please click here

Cyprus on top of Europe’s best dive list

What can experienced divers realistically expect when they come to Cyprus on a diving holiday. There are 260 different fish species which frequent the waters of Cyprus and all together there are about 103 dive sights around the island. But the jewel in the crown has to be the wreck of the Zenobia just outside the Larnaca harbour. that is why many come to dive as it is listed in the world diving tables as the number one dive sight in Europe. Zenobia, or the big Z as divers refer to it, is the 178 metre long Swedish built roll on roll off car4 ferry scuttled as a shipping hazard in 1980 after a ballast tank flooded. It now rests in 25 metres of water cloaked in algae and seaweed. It has become a recognized dive paradise for those who relish wreck diving because the vessel went down intact, still carrying its cargo of 104 lorries with attached trailers.


Source: Sunday Mail august 30, 2009

The Cyprus unification talks

As we informed you in previous newsletters, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat began direct talks in September last year. They have now started the second round of talks aiming to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem. On the agenda are the issues of governance, power sharing and the election of the President and Vice-President of united republic. According to UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus they made some good progress last year.

17 September 2009, www.cyprusweekly.com.cy

Some of the major upcoming events


Kypria International Festival 2009
Kypria is an annual festival staged at various venues across Cyprus in September and October. The festival is organized by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture and gives the opportunity to bring into Cyprus some of the world's best artists in the fields of music, dance and performance art. Art and photography exhibitions, opera and ballet are also included in a varied programme. The festival has been running since 1990 and is considered the premier cultural event of the year. 

 

Open Air Film Festival
The Larnaka Regional Tourism Body as part of its events calendar for 2009 is organizing an Open Air Film Festival from the 5th until the 11th of October 2009 with films of the iconic Italian star of the silver screen, Sofia Loren. During the course of the festival three screenings will take place in the city of Larnaka (by the Finikoudes Sea Front Stage), two screenings in the Oroklini – Dhekelia Area (by the Blue Flag Beach) and two screenings in Lefkara (by the Town Hall Square). 

 

Dulce Pontes 'Moments'
Dulce Pontes the Portuguese Artist with the distinctive and unmistakable voice will be performing her new project ‘Moments’ at the D’Avila Moat in Nicosia and the Castle Square in Pafos and will surely leave the audience spellbound with her awe-inspiring and soul harrowing voice. The concerts will take place on the 24th at the D'Avila Moat,Lefkosia and 25th of September at the Castle Square, Pafos within the framework of the international Festival Kypria 2009 organized by the ministry of Education and Culture, Cultural Services.

Cyprus International 4-day Challenge Marathon
The Cyprus International 4-day Challenge, is a staged running event which combines in a distance a bit longer than a marathon, mountain running, trail running, cross country running, a trail half marathon and a 10k City Run over four days, making it an ultimate adventure running event. The event takes place in the area of Paphos, and for the most part of it, participants have the opportunity to compete in the AKAMAS Nature Reserve Park, in some of Cyprus most scenic routes, where every turn comes with a different stunning view, unfolding the beauty of the AKAMAS Nature Reserve Park in a panoramic sea-sky-earth motif. The races will start on 26/11.



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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