By Anthony O. Miller
THE HOUSE yesterday postponed until October all debate on proposed Tourism Ministry regulations for the creation of five more privately owned marinas that would allow Cyprus to compete with other Mediterranean countries in luring yachtowners to the island.
“This delay is not welcome with us,” Commerce and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis said yesterday, “but I can appreciate that they had their own difficulties” at the House.
“Even if we do it in October, it will be OK. It’s a small delay,” Rolandis said. “The only thing that I can say is, that after 10 of 15 years, at least, we shall have the regulations by October.”
“But I must repeat that the marinas are a must,” the minister said. “We must have marinas if we want to upgrade tourism.”
Rolandis said the House “wanted some further clarification on the various areas to be used for marinas. The regulations were submitted by us 10 days ago, approximately, after consultations with the Port Authority over some property they owned.”
The proposed regulations would privatise the state-owned Larnaca Marina and allow private entrepreneurs to run all six planned marinas, including the already privately owned San Rafael.
Rolandis said the government would seek international tenders for construction of four more privately owned marinas soon after the House approves the new regulations for allowing private entrepreneurs to operate them.
Cyprus currently has two marinas — the privately owned San Rafael, with 300 berths; and the state-owned Larnaca Marina, with 300 berths.
Rolandis’ master plan calls for a total of six marinas with a total capacity of 4,700 to 4,800 berths. These would include 1,200 berths each in Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca; 500-600 berths in Ayia Napa; and 300 berths each in Protaras and San Rafael.
Rolandis estimates the Eastern Mediterranean is ringed with some 1,400 marinas, leaving Cyprus — which currently has only 600 berths — lagging far behind in the competition for the yachting dollar.
A small group of protesters milled about outside the House yesterday to demonstrate their opposition to the privatisation of the state-owned Larnaca Marina. The demonstration passed off peacefully.
