THE 34th Cyprus International Fair ends at midnight today.
The fair opened its gates on May 22 and included a range of exhibits from home and design, machinery and technology, public and private services, home equipment and electrical appliances.
According to the State Fair Authority more than 150 exhibitors showcased the products and services of 1,000 Cypriot companies and 20 foreign countries including Greece, Romania, Spain, Syria and the United States.
States Fair Authority managing director Kikis Petevis said although there was a 15 to 20 per cent reduction in exhibitors this year, it was still proving to be a success.
“There were about 180 to 200 exhibitors last year but due to the financial crisis there has been a reduction,” he said.
Nevertheless no one was unhappy, he said.
“Everyone I spoke to said they were happy about the number of attendants. Because of the financial crisis there may be fewer people but one shouldn’t exaggerate how things stand. A lot of exhibitors even said it was a good thing there were fewer of them this year because they had much more work than other years,” he said.
Petevis said listening to one or two exhibitors who were negative about the turnout and the business they’d generated from participating in this year’s fair was unfair and not indicative of the situation.
However public opinion also supported the view that the popularity of general fairs was being replaced by specialised fairs.
“I remember coming here years ago and you couldn’t walk for people spilling out of the place,” said Ariadne Neophytou.
Nevertheless State Fairs Authority chairman Loris Tryfon said although the trend of general fairs was losing ground, compared to specialised fairs, “the International Cyprus Fair continues to attract the largest number of visitors than any commercial event organised in Cyprus”.
In an effort to attract the participation of more local manufacturing companies financial incentives were offered by the Commerce Minister including up to 70 per cent coverage of the cost of participation, with a ceiling of €2,500, he said.
Despite the official response, an authority employee, who wished to remain unnamed, said the fair had shrunk in side over the years and there were fewer and fewer visitors.
“In the past it was spread out everywhere. All the pavilions were full. Now it’s much more contained and they’re all gathered together,” she said.
“It’s because there are so many specialised fairs nowadays. There’s one for furniture, for cars, for agriculture. It’s still a big event because companies do make special offers and offer reduced prices, but it’s not what it used to be,” she added.
