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Passenger traffic at Larnaca and Paphos airports increased by 4.26% in May 2024 compared to the same month in 2023, according to the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works. The ministry reported a total of 1,140,659 passengers at both airports in May, marking a notable rise from the previous year.
Larnaca Airport saw a 4.3% increase in passenger traffic, while Paphos Airport's traffic remained stable compared to last year. Despite the overall growth in air travel, the total number of flights—8,631—remained consistent with 2023 levels.
However, this rise in air traffic contrasts with a decline in hotel bookings in Paphos. Evripidis Loizides, President of the Paphos Hotel Association, predicts a 10% reduction in hotel occupancy for the summer period. Loizides cited delays in flights from Israel and changing economic conditions in key markets like the UK as significant factors contributing to this decline. He also noted that while the winter of 2024 began promisingly for the Paphos hotel industry, the subsequent months have shown mixed results, with a slight decrease in April and an unsatisfactory performance in May.
In an effort to enhance Cyprus's appeal as a tourist destination, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism has introduced the "Historic Hotels of Cyprus" label. This initiative aims to classify hotels and tourist accommodations that have significant architectural and historical value. The label seeks to promote the preservation of Cyprus's historical heritage, improve the country's tourism image, and enrich its tourist offerings.
The criteria for obtaining the "Historic Hotel" label include having a building or part of a building that is at least fifty years old and representative of the period's architecture. These hotels must also display objects of historical importance and offer dishes and drinks of historical significance in their menus.
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism believes that this initiative will not only boost tourism but also contribute to preserving Cyprus's historical and architectural heritage. The label is valid for three years, during which the establishments must continue to meet the specified requirements.
[Information sourced from CNA]
