PAPHOS HAS seen a slight rise in holiday bookings for the coming high season over the last few weeks, reversing a steady downturn, according to Themis Philipides, the president of the local branch of the hoteliers association.
The comments, which were made on a local radio station, provide a glimmer of hope for anxious local businesses in the coastal town, many of who depend on tourism for their incomes.
Although Philipides also pointed out a reduction in the number of arrivals to Paphos airport by around seven per cent compared with the same period next year, he believes that if the tourist product is updated, Paphos could reverse the decline in tourist numbers.
He advised a rethink of what the town offers visitors, adding he believes Paphos should attempt to move away from mass tourism and try and attract quality tourism in an effort to increase competitiveness.
The hoteliers’ president also advised that a number of hotel units are in urgent need of revamping and suggested the government provide low interest loans for businesses to enable them to improve their product.
He also suggested the withdrawal of some beds to limit numbers.
Nicos Similides the president of the Paphos beaches committee also struck a positive note stressing that a big push has been made to promote coastal areas in Paphos at an International level.
He said the committee along with, CYMEPA, the municipality of Paphos and the Cyprus Tourism Organisation had been making a concerted effort to inform people of the beaches, facilities and coastal areas which Paphos has to offer.
Similides said although the district office of Paphos grants licences to open beaches and bathing areas in May, the municipality of Paphos has already submitted applications for three beaches to open from the beginning of April, six weeks earlier than usual.
He said this will be good for both locals and tourists and added that the beaches committee would like the bathing area of ‘Ta Bania’ in Kato Paphos to be in operation all year long.
The beaches president also said that the aim of his committee is to keep the blue flags, which were awarded in the district last year, and which show that costal and bathing areas and facilities provided meet specific criteria of excellence.
