Hotel occupancy in Ayia Napa and Protaras Cyprus reaches 100%

Hotel occupancy in Ayia Napa and Protaras reached 100% during the summer period and, based on tourist bookings from various countries, the holiday season is expected to last until November.

Lakis Avraamides, President of the Tourism Development and Promotion Company of the Free Area of Famagusta, told CNA that ''during this period occupancy in Ayia Napa and Protaras is very high, we have reached 100%,'' adding that ''it appears that this occupancy will continue until the end of November.''

''This was one of the initial aims of the Tourism Development and Promotion Company,'' he said and noted that the aim to lengthen of the tourist season to nine months appears to have been met.

The next step, he said, was ''to see how we will continue with the arrivals of tourists in the free area of Famagusta for the whole year round.''

Avraamides noted that ''we have stabilised the markets and for the time being we do not have plans to expand into new markets, but there are markets we believe we can pay more attention to, such as Italy and France,'' adding that ''this does not mean we will slacken on the other markets.''

Replying to questions, Avraamides said that ''we are at the final stage of obtaining a permit to create a golf course in the Ayia Napa and Protaras area,'' and expressed certainty that this would happen very soon.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third, including part of the Famagusta District.