VISITOR NUMBERS to Polis Chrysochous are already down by as much as 25 per cent, compared with the same period last year, according to local councillor, Kyriacos Cleanthous.
“It’s quieter than last year, and last year’s figures had already seen a substantial decrease.”
But while the global economic downturn has played a part in the slowdown, he said, the area has seen a continuous decrease in visitors for the past eight years, mainly due to tour operators pulling out for Polis’ lack of profitability.
“There aren’t so many rooms available in this area, and tour companies don’t use bus transfers, so visitors have to use taxis to and from Paphos airport,” said the councillor.
“This is a €70 fare each way,” he added, which “immediately adds another €140 to the package.”
Factoring in operators’ own “cut” to such transportation expenses, “it’s about €100 each way and then we are immediately at least €100 more expensive than Paphos town.”
Cleanthous said that if companies do have reps in Polis, they “have to go into Paphos every day” for needful amenities and “the operating costs for these companies are too high”, adding that comparing the price of a Category A hotel apartment in Polis to its equivalent in Paphos, showed Polis to be €150 more expensive per person.
The councillor believes the new Paphos-Polis highway would improve matters, decreasing the distance between the two towns and seeing transfer fees slashed. He added that improvements to old infrastructure and the creation of new facilities would also help.
“There is some infrastructure in place, but not enough to cover the needs of the tourists … People complain that they become bored in Polis, they need things to do.”
According to the councillor, locals and visitors should look to their beautiful surroundings for stimulation, which should be encouraged by stronger promotion of the “unpolished diamond” of the Akamas and the creation of new tour operator incentives.
“There’s so much to do, cycling, walking trails, bird watching and snorkelling.”
Cleanthous also underlined that his “poor municipality” was doing its best to “obtain funding from the Government to complete the marina in Latsi”, but that cash flow remained “a problem”.
Philip Michael owns the Polis-based Bits and Pieces gallery, selling artwork, handicrafts, jewellery and glassware.
Cypriot-born Michael, who moved back from South Africa 19 years ago, said the recession was not the only reason for the downturn.
“The square here isn’t a square … you can’t even see it as there are too many tables and chairs and no ambience,” he said, adding that the large TV screens used in most local establishments to screen sporting events were a turn-off “unless you’re interested in football”.
“No one can sit outside and enjoy the surroundings if there’s a game on. I like football, but it’s got out of hand. It’s a disgrace.”
Michael also believes Polis’ centre is overly geared towards British tourism, with shops and cafés displaying signs of greed.
“The municipality has allocated a certain amount of space, and some establishments are using double. They’re all friends of mine, and I like them, but this situation is bad. A lot of the chairs are empty anyway,” he added.
Traffic directed away from the centre of the square, also didn’t help the heart of the town he said.
Meanwhile, while Michael’s sales are down by about 30 per cent due to foreign visitor numbers falling, he believes his local trade has increased, with Cypriots purchasing items as they can “no longer afford to buy gold”.
Ultimately, he said, “I’m an optimist … and I hope that, by October, we may be coming through the other side”.
Christina Goedkoop set up Forza 9 gallery in Polis three years ago.
She said: “I know it’s a cliché, but I came to Cyprus for the climate. I chose Polis for the slightly bohemian artistic atmosphere, and also it’s not as developed as other towns. It was also the first place I’d seen in Cyprus which had a proper square. It has a community feeling, and people come to eat and relax there.”
The idea behind the gallery was to provide a platform for local artists to show their work.
“It was a successful idea, and I was surprised at how quickly it took off,” she said.
Many of Goedkoop’s clients are British and foreign nationals who have holiday homes in the area, which need decorating.
“I keep sale records, and the first three months of (this) year are considerably down on last year. Art isn’t like a loaf of bread, which people will always buy; art is a luxury, and (is) always the first to go in difficult times.”
