A SAUDI Arabian royal billionaire is currently holidaying in Latchi, with police taking special measures to protect him and his entourage.
Prince Al Waleed bin Talal – 19th richest man in the world, is visiting Cyprus on his 90-metre long luxury yacht, which is far too large for Latchi’s tiny marina to accommodate.
Local police confirmed that they are aware of the royal visit and have taken precautions to safeguard him. Speaking last night, a representative for Latchi police said: “Of course we are protecting him. We don’t let people go too close to him, He is swimming with his partner at the moment.”
The spokesman also confirmed that police boats are being used to cordon off the area around the yacht, which has been just offshore since Wednesday night, according to Phileleftheros.
A local business owner told the Cyprus Mail: “A special jetty had to be built on the beach; he’s using a 32-foot (10-metre) boat to get to and from the yacht, as well as a helicopter.” He also verified that “the police are watching, and a lot of private security. They’re stopping anyone from going near the boat.”
The business owner also spoke of the need for the government to prepare Cyprus to cope with such high end, large scale tourism. “We should have marina facilities available for these huge yachts – it’s a great thing for Cyprus, especially now.”
Rumours published in Phileleftheros that Prince Al Waleed, 55, is occupying the Anassa Hotel remain unconfirmed, with hotel management declining to speak on the matter. An anonymous Latchi resident said he believed the Prince and his entourage to be staying in the hotel – reserving 30-35 rooms and suites – and using their private helicopter to commute from the yacht. He reportedly has an entourage of 40 people with him to celebrate his birthday, which was in March.
It is believed that the prince has requested his visit to be as low key as possible, wanting to visit Cyprus unofficially as a tourist. No contact is thought to have been made between his representatives and officials, though there is a possibility unofficial contact has been made with Cypriot high society, amid rumours he is set to invest in the tourism industry on the island.
