Tourism infrastructure in Paphos and other main Cypriot resorts will undergo major renovation in the next few years and include a wave of new developments such as new roads, golf courses and marinas.
Paphos
Cyprus is a relative newcomer to golf tourism. Now with five new courses planned for Paphos alone – bringing the total in the region to eight – the sector is set for major expansion. Golf is just one element of a huge investment programme to the infrastructure and hotels in Paphos, ensuring it maintains its grip on tourism.
George Leptos, chairman of Paphos Regional Board of Tourism, was in London recently to promote the new golf courses, as well as a new 1000 berth marina with shops and restaurants near Coral Bay. He said a new four lane highway would cut journey times between Paphos and Polis and Latchi. Roads to the new Paphos airport, which opened at the end of 2008 and mountain areas would also be widened and improved. The pedestrian pathway from Yeroskipou to Paphos medieval castle would be extended to Coral Bay, to cover 15km.
Recent improvements included refinement of the tourist beach area, clearer signs at archaeological and historical sites, better accessibility for wheelchair users, sprucing up of the resorts green areas, markets and town squares and restoration of old buildings. An environmental policy and cleanliness campaign have also been introduced.
Leptos said hotels had upgraded more than 5000 tourist beds in the past five years with more than 40% of them now in the four and five star category. Paphos offers a third of the island’s 90500 bed capacity.
Photis Lambrianides, commercial director at Olympic Holidays said “Now that the landscaping is finished, Paphos is a vastly improved resort and the infrastructure now a much better match for the five-star hotels we feature there.”
The five star Coral Beach Hotel has launched a package that includes a gala dinner hosted by the hotel’s wine expert after a day spent on the island’s wine tours.
A spokesman at Classic Collection Holidays said Paphos accounted for 66% of its Cyprus sales and the average spend was £1300 per person.
Larnaca
Work on the resort’s first golf course and port redevelopment project have been delayed until the end of this year. All courses are now required to install a desalination plant. The course near Larnaca airport was postponed after the government issued a review after the 2007-08 drought. The luxury real estate development at the course has gone ahead and is due to be completed later this year.
The port redevelopment project was delayed after the unsuccessful bidder issued a challenge to the winning tender. The area will be transformed into a tourist, residential and entertainment area and international cruise centre.
Larnaca’s new international airport is scheduled to open in November. Hoteliers are hoping that low rates and new services from Gatwick and Birmingham from easyJet and Monarch respectively will boost visitor numbers this summer.
Ayia Napa & Protaras
The east coast is to get its first 18 hole golf course. Work will begin at the end of the year and is expected to take two years to complete. It will be run by a consortium of hoteliers and tenders will go out shortly. A second privately owned golf course and real estate development is awaiting a licence from the government.
Construction will also start on a new 600 berth marina with restaurants, conference facilities and leisure facilities at the end of this year.
Plans are afoot to complete the pedestrian pathway from Ayia Napa to Cape Greko and on to Protaras. Roads and cycle ways are also being improved.
Hoteliers are continuing to upgrade their properties in line with the island’s policy to become more upmarket.
Limassol
Limassol is pressing ahead with plans to build a luxury marina and international conference centre. The €300 million marina will be built near the old town and castle and include residential, commercial and cultural units. The Cyprus Ports Authority is redeveloping the Old Port area and building cafes, restaurants, a Nautical museum and new reception area for passengers. All three projects are due to be completed in 2012.
Maria Stylianou, manager of the Limassol Tourism Development and Promotion Company, said the conference centre would be large enough to attract international events and increase the resort’s all-season appeal. Limassol is acquiring a new face as a quality year-round destination.
The Olympic swimming pool has been renovated a new athletics centre built to encourage sports tourism.
The Amathus Beach Hotel will reopen in April after a €10 million refurbishment which includes a Phillipe Starck designed lobby, refurbished rooms and a new spa, gym and restaurants.
The Mediterranean Beach Hotel has opened a sushi bar and a new Italian restaurant based on the Bacco eatery in Berlin.
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Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Mount Kilimanjaro....Did you know?
In response to the recent screening of the Red Nose Kilimanjaro Climb on BBC1, African Pride has compiled some trivia relating to Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world (5,895m) and the tallest mountain in Africa. However, did you know that it is also the highest mountain in the world to be summitted without the aid of technical equipment?
Kilimanjaro National Park forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.There are currently three other natural World Heritage Sites in Tanzania, namely the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Selous Game Reserve.
There are six different routes that can be taken to climb the mountain. The most popular one being the Marangu Route, which is also known as the 'Coca Cola' or 'Tourist' route.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round but there are traditionally two main seasons: January - mid-March and June - October.
The Jan - March season tends to be colder and there is a much greater chance of snow on the path at this time. The days, however, are often clearer, with only the occasional brief shower. It is usually an exceptionally beautiful time to climb and is often a little quieter than the other peak season of June - Oct. The latter coincides with a period that is good for safari and weather conditions in the Zanzibar archipelago.
Finally, the oldest person to summit Mount Kilimanjaro was an 87-year-old Frenchman!
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Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world (5,895m) and the tallest mountain in Africa. However, did you know that it is also the highest mountain in the world to be summitted without the aid of technical equipment?
Kilimanjaro National Park forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.There are currently three other natural World Heritage Sites in Tanzania, namely the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Selous Game Reserve.
There are six different routes that can be taken to climb the mountain. The most popular one being the Marangu Route, which is also known as the 'Coca Cola' or 'Tourist' route.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round but there are traditionally two main seasons: January - mid-March and June - October.
The Jan - March season tends to be colder and there is a much greater chance of snow on the path at this time. The days, however, are often clearer, with only the occasional brief shower. It is usually an exceptionally beautiful time to climb and is often a little quieter than the other peak season of June - Oct. The latter coincides with a period that is good for safari and weather conditions in the Zanzibar archipelago.
Finally, the oldest person to summit Mount Kilimanjaro was an 87-year-old Frenchman!
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Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Autralia & New Zealand
If the film Australia has inspired you to try to be like Nicole Kidman or Hugh Jackman on one of the vast livestock stations down under, the good news is there are several working ranches and farms bookable through UK operators that offers tourists the chance to get involved. Whether your fantasy is mustering cattle in Australia or feeding lambs in New Zealand you can be sure of doing so in some spectacular natural backdrops.
Australia
Home Valley Station
Home Valley Station in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia was one of the film locations for Australia. Spectacularly located at the base of the Cockburn Range, its landscapes can be experienced through a host of activities, including walks through gorges, barramundi fishing in the river and horse-rides over savannah plains and rocky ridges. Would be drovers can help round up 2,000 head of cattle at a “mini-muster”. The station is owned by the Indigenous Land Corporation, which supports employment training for Aboriginal people.
A two week trip to Australia taking in Darwin, Broome and Perth including three nights full board in Home Valley Station’s luxurious new Grass Castle accommodation, a cattle mustering experience and a scenic flight to the Bungle Bungle range costs from £3245, including all flights and transfers.
Bullo River
No fewer than 9000 head of cattle roam Bullo River cattle station in the north west of Australia’s Northern Territory where the landscape is dotted with distinctive chunky boab trees and Aboriginal rock paining sites. The all inclusive tariff at Bullo River includes plenty of activities. Guests can take a gorge cruise to fish or spot crocodiles and between May and October (with prior booking) can watch or even help with mustering, when cattle are rounded up, or bull catching – during which the males are nudged off their feet by 4x4 vehicles.
Kuoni offers 14 nights in Australia, staying three nights each at the Medina in Darwin, Bullo River in Kununurra, Cable Beach Club Resort in Broome and the Crowne Plaza, Perth plus a two night stopover at the Pan Pacific, Singapore. The price, from £3218 per person is for room only except Bullo which is all inclusive. International and domestic flights and transfers are included.
Outback Cattle Drive
The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive is back for 2010. Between July 30 and August 29 next year, tourists can help 500 head of cattle on their epic journey along South Australia’s Oodnadatta Track. Participants will be guided by experienced drovers – who may or may not look like the drover played by Hugh Jackman in Australia.
New Zealand
Sheep Farms
New Zealand’s famous sheep farms are huge by UK standards; they are also set in some particularly gorgeous landscapes. In the Southland region of New Zealand, farms that take in guests and allow them to learn something of farm life include Chartlea Park in Lumsden and Hillcrest at Balfour. Chartlea breeds not only sheep but also cattle and goats. Guests stay in the antique filled 1896 homestead and can take tours to see the stock and watch farm work in action. There are also sheep, deer and a cow kept as pets that visitors can feed. Hillcrest which, as its name suggests, boasts mountain views, also allows tours of its 650 acre sheep and deer farm and there are opportunities to fish in a river.
A five night half board stay at either Chartlea Park or Hillcrest costs from £1099 including Heathrow flights to Christchurch for travel between April 12 and June 15.
Luxury Lodge
Staying on an authentic New Zealand farm needn’t mean roughing it. Grasmere Lodge in New Zealand’s scenic Southern Alps is an authentic working sheep station; it’s also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and boasts sumptuous lodge, chalet and cottage accommodation. Guests may choose to experience no mud beyond that in their face pack in the Lodge’s own spa, or they can get down and dirty out on the farm. Tours of the estate can be made by four-wheel drive or on horseback. Sheep shearing demonstrations can be arranged. There’s plenty more action in store at Grasmere for those who like to go canoeing, trout fishing or take a scenic flight.
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Australia
Home Valley Station
Home Valley Station in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia was one of the film locations for Australia. Spectacularly located at the base of the Cockburn Range, its landscapes can be experienced through a host of activities, including walks through gorges, barramundi fishing in the river and horse-rides over savannah plains and rocky ridges. Would be drovers can help round up 2,000 head of cattle at a “mini-muster”. The station is owned by the Indigenous Land Corporation, which supports employment training for Aboriginal people.
A two week trip to Australia taking in Darwin, Broome and Perth including three nights full board in Home Valley Station’s luxurious new Grass Castle accommodation, a cattle mustering experience and a scenic flight to the Bungle Bungle range costs from £3245, including all flights and transfers.
Bullo River
No fewer than 9000 head of cattle roam Bullo River cattle station in the north west of Australia’s Northern Territory where the landscape is dotted with distinctive chunky boab trees and Aboriginal rock paining sites. The all inclusive tariff at Bullo River includes plenty of activities. Guests can take a gorge cruise to fish or spot crocodiles and between May and October (with prior booking) can watch or even help with mustering, when cattle are rounded up, or bull catching – during which the males are nudged off their feet by 4x4 vehicles.
Kuoni offers 14 nights in Australia, staying three nights each at the Medina in Darwin, Bullo River in Kununurra, Cable Beach Club Resort in Broome and the Crowne Plaza, Perth plus a two night stopover at the Pan Pacific, Singapore. The price, from £3218 per person is for room only except Bullo which is all inclusive. International and domestic flights and transfers are included.
Outback Cattle Drive
The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive is back for 2010. Between July 30 and August 29 next year, tourists can help 500 head of cattle on their epic journey along South Australia’s Oodnadatta Track. Participants will be guided by experienced drovers – who may or may not look like the drover played by Hugh Jackman in Australia.
New Zealand
Sheep Farms
New Zealand’s famous sheep farms are huge by UK standards; they are also set in some particularly gorgeous landscapes. In the Southland region of New Zealand, farms that take in guests and allow them to learn something of farm life include Chartlea Park in Lumsden and Hillcrest at Balfour. Chartlea breeds not only sheep but also cattle and goats. Guests stay in the antique filled 1896 homestead and can take tours to see the stock and watch farm work in action. There are also sheep, deer and a cow kept as pets that visitors can feed. Hillcrest which, as its name suggests, boasts mountain views, also allows tours of its 650 acre sheep and deer farm and there are opportunities to fish in a river.
A five night half board stay at either Chartlea Park or Hillcrest costs from £1099 including Heathrow flights to Christchurch for travel between April 12 and June 15.
Luxury Lodge
Staying on an authentic New Zealand farm needn’t mean roughing it. Grasmere Lodge in New Zealand’s scenic Southern Alps is an authentic working sheep station; it’s also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and boasts sumptuous lodge, chalet and cottage accommodation. Guests may choose to experience no mud beyond that in their face pack in the Lodge’s own spa, or they can get down and dirty out on the farm. Tours of the estate can be made by four-wheel drive or on horseback. Sheep shearing demonstrations can be arranged. There’s plenty more action in store at Grasmere for those who like to go canoeing, trout fishing or take a scenic flight.
Post Your Comments Below
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