TOURISM ARRIVALS DOWN AGAIN
TOURISM arrivals fell 10.7 per cent in the first nine months of the year, the statistics department said yesterday.
For the period January to September, 1.75 million tourists visited the island compared to 1.96 million in the corresponding period of 2008, mirroring the global economic downturn.
For the month of September alone, arrivals were down 9.6 per cent year on year.
Tourism represents about 11 per cent of Cyprus’s gross domestic product.
Tourists from Britain, who usually account for just over half of Cyprus’s annual tourism intake, totalled 146,530 in September compared with 157,863 in the same month last year, a 7.2 per cent drop.
Tourism arrivals from Russia — Cyprus’s second biggest market — fell 20.1 per cent, while Swedish arrivals were down 19.1 per cent.
An increase was recorded from Czech Republic, up 7.9 per cent, while Austrian holidaymakers rose 17.5 per cent.
SEVEN INJURED IN CLASHES AFTER BASKETBALL GAME
HOOLIGANISM reared its ugly head again on Thursday night during a basketball match between eternal rivals APOEL Nicosia and AEL Limassol.
According to a police spokesman yesterday, a little before the end of the Super Cup game at Tassos Papadopoulos – Eleftheria Stadium, APOEL fans became involved in a brawl with attending policemen. More officers were summoned and managed to calm the situation enough for the fans to leave the stadium.
But outside, the brawl continued, ending in the Rapid Reaction Unit (MMAD) dispersing tear gas.
Departing, AEL fans caused considerable damage to surrounding shops, six cars and police cars. The State Fair premises were also vandalised.
Six people were injured during the fracas – five policemen and one AEL basketball player. They were all taken to Nicosia General Hospital, where they were treated and discharged.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested during the violent incident on suspicion of being one of the instigators.
TIME TO EMPTY THE PRE-EURO PIGGY BANK
THE CENTRAL Bank of Cyprus wishes to remind the public that the last day for exchanging coins of the Cyprus pound for euros will be December 31, 2009.
“After this date, coins of the Cyprus pound will not be exchanged. The public who hold and wish to exchange such coins are advised to do so the soonest possible,” the CB announced.
Cyprus pound banknotes will continue to be exchanged until December 31, 2017.
“The Central Bank of Cyprus undertakes the exchange of coins and banknotes free of charge.”
MAN ATTACKS EU HOUSE WITH A HAMMER
A MAN wielding a hammer stormed into the grounds of the European Union House in Nicosia yesterday, and began smashing internal glass doors and window partitions.
The man was incapacitated and contained by private security guards employed by the Group 4 security company, police said.
“The damage done to the building was very extensive and one of the guards was injured on the wrist as a result of a flying glass shard” said Alexandra Attalides, the press attaché to the European Parliament Office in Cyprus.
“The guards were very brave and professional and did an excellent job.” she continued.
There was no report of the motive behind the attack but the assailant, who is around 40 years of age is the same individual who last year attacked the car of Labour Minister Sotiroula Charalambous. He was handed over to police yesterday for questioning.
POLICE WILL BE OUT TESTING YOUNG DRIVERS
PLAIN-CLOTHES policemen will be mingling with youths in a number of nightclubs tonight as part of a European road safety campaign.
Officers will single out the young designated drivers and test them for alcohol levels as they leave the clubs. According to Traffic Department head, Demetris Demetriou, a similar campaign was carried out last year and Cypriots were among the worst offenders in the EU.
“Initially 431 youths said they would participate, of whom 184 were tested for alcohol – 121 men and 63 women – of whom 118 persons or 64.13 per cent didn’t live up to their promises,” said Demetriou.
Plain-clothes officers, along with students and members of Belgian and Greek road safety institutes will stand outside the clubs, which haven’t been named, and provide the designated drivers with a blue paper bracelet, on the promise that they won’t be consuming alcohol.
Those wearing the bracelets will be tested for alcohol upon exiting the club and those who live up to their promise will be rewarded with a small gift.
“The campaign is centred on youths up to the age of 25, who drive under the influence of alcohol,” said Demetriou. “This is of special significance as more than one in two fatalities in road accidents are youths under the age of 25 and because alcohol in 2007, 2008 and 2009 until today continues to be the main reason behind road fatalities.”
MOTORCYCLIST KILLED
A 27-year-old student from Nicosia was yesterday the latest victim to be killed on the island’s roads.
The accident took place directly opposite the University of Cyprus’ student campus, when the 27-year-old’s high-powered motorbike hurled into a car attempting to take a right turning.
Even though the student had been wearing a helmet, he was killed due to the sheer force of the impact.
NEPOTISM PROBE BEGINS
POLICE yesterday began taking statements for their investigation into claims that Agriculture Minister Michalis Polynikis engaged in nepotism when hiring veterinary officers.
Senior Technician at the Ministry’s Agricultural Research Department Andreas Demetriou, who made the claims, provided investigators with a lengthy statement.
Officers arrived at Demetriou’s office at 11.30am and by 3 pm, they decided to interrupt his statement and continue today.
“Whatever information I have, I am determined to give it to the police,” said Demetriou.
The Attorney-general has given orders that the investigation be completed as soon as possible.
The case, which has been given to Police Headquarters’ CID, will continue today with a continuation of Demetriou’s statement, as well as interviews with officers from the Agricultural Research Department. Polynikis is expected to be the last to be interviewed
CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT MEETS
THE CHILDREN’S Parliament convened yesterday to mark the Radiomarathon’s 20th anniversary under the presidency of DISY MP Christos Pourgourides.
Pourgourides said, “As significant as the private initiative is, state welfare needs to be upgraded and reinforced, as the state is obliged to effectively support children with special needs”.
In its report, the Nicosia Committee of Children MPs said interviews it had taken showed that “children with special needs and their families are in need of stable and satisfactory financial support, but much more than that, they need psychological support and acceptance by society.”
First Lady Elsi Christofias was also present at the meeting.
