MORAL outrage was the predictable reaction to the media reports about the sexual licentiousness encouraged on the Fantasy Boat Party, which has become something of an Ayia Napa attraction. But for police to arrest and charge the owner of the boat and two others with committing ‘public indecency’ was a knee-jerk reaction that betrayed a complete lack of common sense. In making the arrests, the police acted more like custodians of morality rather than guardians and enforcers of the law.
Had the police received a complaint from anyone who had been on board, claiming they had been forced to do things against their will? No. Had the revellers been engaging in their lewd acts somewhere where they could be seen by minors or easily-offended citizens? No. Had the organisers taken people on the boat by false or misleading advertising? No. Was sex being sold? No. Young people pay to go on the Fantasy Boat Party of their own free will, knowing exactly what to expect once the boat sails into the open sea.
This is a private party, that takes place at a secret location and is attended by consenting adults. Under the circumstances, it is difficult to understand on what grounds the police made the arrests. Assistant to the chief of police Soteris Charalambous described the behaviour on the boat as “vile” but his moral repugnance, though understandable cannot justify pressing charges. Would the police have done the same if they heard that a Cypriot couple was regularly organising orgies in their home? Any police action would constitute a violation of a person’s right to privacy.
Perhaps the police acted because tourism officials felt that the reports and pictures about events on the boat, which appeared in British newspapers as well as on the Internet, were destroying the image of Cyprus as a family tourist destination. If this is the case, it shows a complete lack of understanding of how the market works. A family will not be put off going to Ayia Napa on holiday because of a boat that hosts parties at sea in which young tourists behave promiscuously. It is no threat to their family. But hedonistic youngsters looking for a ‘fun and sex’ holiday (they are a huge market) who have read about the Fantasy Boat Party in the press or on the internet, could well book to come to Ayia Napa because of it.
Absurd as it may seem, the publicity given to the boat in the foreign press was free advertising, geared at a very sizeable segment of the tourist market – the young, free and single who are looking for fun and sex when they go on holiday. CTO officials should be rubbing their hands with glee at all the free advertising Cyprus has received in the British tabloids. We do not expect the authorities to show any gratitude and give a reward to the owner of the Fantasy Boat for his services to the promotion of Cyprus tourism, but they should at least recognise that a large section of today’s young tourist market is not remotely interested in ancient sites and 15th century churches. The Fantasy Boat is an attraction, and should be allowed to continue its cruises, even if the behaviour of its passengers is deemed “vile” by the police.
