Cyprus’s main seaside towns of Limassol, Larnaca, Pafos and Ayia Napa are all witnessing infrastructural upgrades which will help boost tourism, some supported by financing from the European Union, others a mix of government and private sector investment. Construction is due to begin next month on the $314 million Limassol Marina which will have on water berthing for around 550 boats. A 34,000 sq m real estate development will include gastronomic, leisure and sports facilities, up market boutiques, bicycle and walking paths, villas and apartments.
A new family oriented athletics centre, close to the existing sea front zoo, will offer a range of indoor and outdoor sporting facilities; and the CTO has commissioned a report identifying the best of seven possible locations for a new 2,000 seat conference centre to help attract year round international MICE events; it is hoped that construction will start in 2009 or 2010.
A new passenger terminal – a 7,500 sq m reception area for cruise ship passengers – is to be developed by the Cyprus Ports Authority at Limassol’s existing ‘new port’ and what is known as the ‘old port’ area is to become a new tourist destination by 2011 with a fishermen’s wharf. A new nautical museum is being planned to house artefacts from an incredible 2,350 year old ‘commercial’ shipwreck, found off Cyprus’ southern shores.
An old colonial style building, once the residence of the British district administrator will be turned into a $805,000 History Museum. Work started on the museum project last month and is scheduled to open in April 2009.
Extensive work has been carried out in the southeastern town of Paphos to upgrade and pedestrianise the waterfront while a 1,000 yacht marina is scheduled for construction in Potamites Kissonerga . A 600 berth marina is also being planned for the Ayia Thekla area of Ayia Napa. That too will have an adjacent real estate development including residential, leisure and sports facilities and should be ready within three to four years according to Ayia Napa’s Mayor, Antonis Tsokkos. There are also plans for a luxury golf course in the area.
Work on new airport terminals in Paphos and Larnaca is on schedule and Larnaca is to have a new marina, with areas for pedestrians linking it to a new seven berth cruise ship port and the old town. Three squares in the town will be designed with pedestrians in mind and linked to the seafront promenade. In addition a number of new hotels and leisure facilities will be developed in the port marina project.