CyprusLiving

by **Wee Stumpy** » 13 Oct 2016 17:20

Still really busy with tourists in Coral Bay. Phillipos and the strip were really busy and loads of red plates about. Certainly seems busier than previous mid Octobers. The Manager of the Gold Temple reckoned it was the good weather and many were last minute deals.

**Sponsor**

by **emgee** » 13 Oct 2016 17:42

They are not going to Turkey, Algeria, Greek Islands etc so they are coming here.

Alan

by **Amanda** » 13 Oct 2016 19:18

emgee wrote:They are not going to Turkey, Algeria, Greek Islands etc so they are coming here.

Alan

Not true about Greece. Read a Telegraph article that said they had record numbers of tourists this year and many people specifically targeted going to the islands to help take clothes and goods to the refugees.

by **juliesewell** » 13 Oct 2016 19:21

I can tell you there's 2 more on the way this weekend for a week... but they're headed for Limassol.

by **keving** » 13 Oct 2016 19:44

emgee wrote:They are not going to Turkey, Algeria, Greek Islands etc so they are coming here.

Alan

Who's not going to Greek Islands?

I'm going to Santorini in November!

by **Pickles** » 14 Oct 2016 06:18

Sorry but the Brits AND the Chinese & Russians ARE going to the Greek Islands - we're just back from Zakynthos and our hotel was rammed full even though their tourist season finishes tomorrow the 15th, and you literally couldn't move in Athens airport for tourists & suitcases!

:lol:

by **cymart1** » 14 Oct 2016 11:22

Greece is doing very well this year- and has done in the last few years......the people there realised that if you want good tourists you offer value for money and make them welcome...simple, but it works!More than a few Cypriots should take a lesson from them?
Overall Cyprus has also had a very good year as far as numbers are concerned,but the spending power of the people that come here is low and many are on all inclusive deals. Conseqently, businesses that rely on them to buy optional services such as meals,excursions etc. have not had such a good season, as my wife and others will confirm. Unfortuately this is a trend which is unlikely to stop as foreign tour operators virtually dictate their terms to hoteliers and threaten to go elsewhere if their demands are not met!Cyprus is also expensive compared to other countries and will the falling pound it will become even more so for Brits. who are still the main market for the island

by **juliesewell** » 14 Oct 2016 14:08

If Cyprus got their act together and got the ferry back up and running they would probably gain a few extra tourists who aren't in the market for an All Inclusive deal hotel.

So many promises of "next year" on the ferry route - so many wasted opportunities....

We were very disappointed over the fact the only way to get off the island by boat is if you had an arranged ticket back on the same ship and had to hand over your passport into the bargain

There are only so many mini-cruises you can do!

by **cymart1** » 14 Oct 2016 17:11

Officials in all the countries involved in operating a passenger ferry from/to Cyprus have all re-iterated that it would not be viable,based on previous experiences and also the distance involved. Additionally the very cheap air fares now available are another deterrent which a ferry would not be able to compete with?So it seems that if we want to send our cars to Greece we will have to continue to use the container ships which operate and fly over to collect them!

by **juliesewell** » 14 Oct 2016 19:10

There's just no fun in that though Martin.....

The beauty of going by ship is your holiday starts just as soon as you get onboard!

by **galexinda** » 14 Oct 2016 19:23

May be more viable if there was a ferry service between Cyprus and Crete or Cyprus and Rhodes then you can use the Greek ferries for the onward journey, no need for it to be Cyprus to Piraeus.

by **juliesewell** » 14 Oct 2016 20:11

Exactly, Galexinda!

So easy to "Island Hop" from Rhodes (the nearest) island or Crete to make your way around the Med.

We would have ripped their hands off to do that each summer during our 12yr sojourn in Cyprus. And how many Cypriots head for Greece and her islands every summer, it's not just foreigners and tourists who would be happy to use the ferry services. So many of our Cypriot friends wanted this too!

by **Happy in Cyprus** » 16 Oct 2016 16:45

Well, here a direct answer to the OP:

Record numbers of Russians in Cyprus
Posted on October 16, 2016 by radionapa in Ayia Napa

Russian tourist arrivals in Cyprus saw a huge rise this year according to tourism officials in Russia.

Tournos News reports that incoming tourism from Russia shot up by 43% between January-August 2016, compared to the corresponding period of 2015.

Cyprus welcomed 556,000 Russian tourists, the second largest nationality after the British, the report added.

A simplified visa process and problems in Egypt and Turkey helped the spike.

“As a result, an increasing number of hotels in locations like Ayia Napa that closed in late November, will now stay in operation during winter,” the report added.

by **Barb** » 16 Oct 2016 19:00

Very cheap air fares? Really? Family of 6 flying to Paphos October half term about £2000 before any other costs! Not everyone can fly at low season and surely Cyprus should be encouraging families - and teachers!

by **keving** » 16 Oct 2016 19:26

Barb

I am not sure what Cyprus can do if it is Easyjet or Monarch or British Airways etc who are quoting £2,000 for a family of six.

by **June** » 16 Oct 2016 19:33

Quote “As a result, an increasing number of hotels in locations like Ayia Napa that closed in late November, will now stay in operation during winter,” the report added.

Oh good! Not Ayia Napa obviously but hope this will mean my fav restaurants in Paphos will do the same!

Barb, I'm sorry but it's a case of live with it. I had to for 15 years although at least now there is the option of Easyjet early booking which wasn't available then. It was Air2000/Airtours etc. Closed shop..

Business is business after all and airlines need to profit.
Perhaps better to canvas a relaxation in the present rules of no absence outside term time?

by **lofos-jan** » 17 Oct 2016 08:10

I've always said that adding Cyprus to the island hop routes would boost tourism enormously. I have been to many islands and they are full of tourists from countries that don't traditionally come to Cyprus such as Spain, the US, South America etc. The trouble is that a journey of at least 12 hours is not really a 'hop'.

Jeanne

by **cymart1** » 17 Oct 2016 11:48

There may have been 'record' numbers of Russian tourists but this was due mainly to charters to Turkey not running earlier this season: consequently they sent quite a lot of them here and hotels were filled with hordes of miserable,moaning and obnoxious Russians who has very little money to spend because of the economic situation at home and compared everything here with what they were used to in Turkey previously where everything was cheaper and the facilities better suited to their preferences.They took their revenge on the tour company reps. when they got here,complaining about everything,especially having to pay for water to drink etc.which they said was scandalous and that they will never come again!!This info. came from several of the Russian tour firms reps.who I know,who had a ghastly season with them.....hopefully those who still have money to travel abroad will go back to Turkey and other places next season and everyone will be glad to see the back of them!

by **Admin** » 17 Oct 2016 14:24

At Vardas beach this morning, maybe the weather is the key, certainly it is not the value of the pound..

Beautiful day again, never been on Cyprus with this long a summer season and hot too, water must be a problem now..

by **juliesewell** » 17 Oct 2016 15:03

juliesewell wrote:I can tell you there's 2 more on the way this weekend for a week... but they're headed for Limassol.

Correction.
Make that 3 people!

by **monnydite** » 21 Oct 2016 23:58

Just look at those lovely pictures of Vardas Beach............ so wish I was there with that blue sky and sunshine instead of the grey skies and chilly wind of the UK. So miss Cyprus and Paphos as not been able to get over due to working and house move which we are right in the middle of at the moment! :-(

by **nholleran** » 22 Oct 2016 20:53

Hi were about is vardas beach located please

by **melania** » 22 Oct 2016 22:35

Vardas Beach is next to the Atlantica Bay hotel, it is also a restaurant on the beach front

by **Happy in Cyprus** » 06 Nov 2016 18:10

We live pretty close to the approach for PFO when the wind is blowing from a westerly direction. Yesterday and today I was working outside. I have never, in all our years here, seen as many aircraft going in to PFO as I did yesterday. It was like a Wednesday or Sunday afternoon in the summer months...with just minutes separating inbound arrivals. Most of the aircraft appeared to be Russian. Today, Sunday, it was mainly UK airlines and certainly not as busy as summer schedules, but nevertheless busier than normal for the winter timetable.

While some have previously posted that visiting Russians do not represent the ideal high-spending tourist, it must surely be beneficial that so many tourists are still coming to Cyprus this late in the year, even if many/most of them are all-inclusive. Better that we get them than Turkey or North African/Arabic countries.

by **juliesewell** » 06 Nov 2016 19:44

I think this is the last week of term holidays in a number of UK localities.

We went into Blackpool on Tuesday of this week and it was really busy. We walked into The Albert and the Lion for lunch and there was hardly a table to be found. We just had a drink to celebrate our wedding anniversary and fled as fast as we could.... so maybe those UK planes were taking all the little devils (sorry, "darlings") home again.

Just wondering though Lloyd as to why you only live pretty close to the approach for PFO when the wind comes from the West, where do you live for the rest of the time?

by **lincoln** » 06 Nov 2016 19:51

We strolled around the harbour area the other day and were so happy. Hardly any tourist at all. Such a pleasure.

by **kili1** » 06 Nov 2016 19:55

I think that Lloyd hit the nail on the head with his final sentence. Though the good weather here is obviously a big draw for those from N.Europe who are just starting the winter with freezing temperatures in many places, the fact that many tourists are avoiding Turkey and all the north African countries for obvious reasons is probably the main reason.
Also the CTO, airlines and the hotels are engaging in a big effort to promote winter tourism to Cyprus.
Because the charter airlines are helping with this initiative by keeping their flights from many UK regional airports going they hope it will be a success. Hotels like the Coral Beach are planning to stay open this year..
We shall see!
A friend of mine flew back to Bristol last night from Paphos, he reported that his flight was packed and the airport was obviously much busier than we had expected.

Dee

by **juliesewell** » 06 Nov 2016 20:31

lincoln wrote:We strolled around the harbour area the other day and were so happy. Hardly any tourist at all. Such a pleasure.

Lose that thought - fast! [-x

Those "tourists" are the bread and butter of Cyprus.... if they stop coming, next you'll be complaining when the prices start going up!

by **juliesewell** » 06 Nov 2016 20:35

Dee,
Let's hope it stays that way, eh?

I certainly wouldn't mind some warm sunshine just now. We've had a very cold wind here today on the coast. My hands were freezing when I went to hang my washing out this morning. I left my other half to go out and walk the dog... far too chilly for me!

Strange, but this is usually the time of year we would have been coming back to visit family in UK once my parents were no longer able to come to see us. I guess we always brought warm clothing in preparation and I haven't got around to that mentality just yet. Hanging onto my "winter gear" until I really need it

by **June** » 06 Nov 2016 20:48

I'm out this Thursday. Self-catering as usual so my euros will be spent in the supermarket and local restaurants.
Can't wait actually as after an idyllic autumn here the weather has changed to very wet and Baltic. :evil:

Flying out on a Thursday and back on a Friday (15 nights) and both flights (EJ) are more or less full.

by **kili1** » 06 Nov 2016 21:24

June,
You should arrive for good weather! Yes,flights are full this year. Still nice and warm by day,but now chilly or even cold mornings and evenings where I live! So best dress in 'layers' for confort!

Dee

by **June** » 06 Nov 2016 21:59

Thanks Dee.
Yes it's looking good on WU isn't it

I'm bringing my mid weight fleece for travelling, watching sunrises and sunsets tho didn't need for the latter last year.
I'm down by the harbour so possibly warmer than you?
TBH it doesn't make much difference what the weather is like.
It's warmer than Cumbria and as the wettest county in England Paphos rain doesn't usually last that long.

by **Happy in Cyprus** » 07 Nov 2016 00:14

juliesewell wrote:Just wondering though Lloyd as to why you only live pretty close to the approach for PFO when the wind comes from the West, where do you live for the rest of the time?

I like your reasoning Julie

The answer's simple. Aircraft always land into wind. So when the wind is westerly, aircraft approach from the east. This takes them close'ish to our house. So we get to see them and are aware of the numbers. When the wind is easterly, inbound aircraft approach from the west. Consequently we don't get to see them, though residents of Coral Bay and Kato Paphos will.

juliesewell wrote:Lose that thought - fast! Those "tourists" are the bread and butter of Cyprus.... if they stop coming, next you'll be complaining when the prices start going up!

Worse still, hotels, restaurants, shops and the other facilities might close down; most of the restaurants in and around the harbour for a start. Is a ghost town preferable to tourists? Don't think so.

Personally I don't have a problem with tourists and it's nice to see others enjoying what we residents all take for granted.

by **niketynak19** » 11 Nov 2016 22:26

Some of us are coming from Scotland for a bit of heat and to pack up our house which we have successfully sold woopy and take a look at the new house which we take over in mid January hopefully . Then next November all being well we defo won't be tourists anymore .

by **Happy in Cyprus** » 18 Nov 2016 02:05

Some more positive news on tourist arrivals:

Tourist arrivals up 33% in October, Cystat says (Update-1) 2
By Stelios Orphanides, Cyprus Mail

Tourist arrivals rose 33 per cent year-on-year last month, to 357,194, a new October peak, the statistical service said.

The increase in October was due to Russian arrivals more than doubling, to an annual 132 per cent, or 81,556, Cystat said in a statement on its website on Thursday. The UK added 19,334 more tourists last month, which increased the number of British tourists by 17 per cent, to 133,889.

Tourists from Israel and Greece rose an annual 104 per cent and 8.4 per cent, to 15,861 and 15,239 respectively, Cystat said. Tourists from Germany rose 7.3 per cent, to 18,137.

In January to October, total arrivals rose an annual 20 per cent, to 2,974,412, also a new record which even exceeds total arrivals in the entire 2015, Cystat said. Arrivals from the UK and Russia rose in the first ten months of the year 12 per cent and 51 per cent respectively, to 1,088,562 and 751,808.

by **cymart1** » 18 Nov 2016 18:51

The statistics are generally useful-the people who produce them have lucrative civil service jobs by the way- but what they don't clarify is where the tourists spend their money?Unfortunately,many of them come on all-inclusive packages and leave very little money to the rest of the businesses associated with tourism outside hotels.
As financial analyst Fiona Mullen wrote in last Fridays Cyprus Mail,2017 could see a very different situation with many of the Russians returning to Turkey,rather than being sent here as they were this year and there is also the unknown factor of how sterling will perform against the Euro by next summer?Cyprus is not cheap compared to other destinations so hopefully people who did well this year will not sit on their laurels and presume everything will be rosy?

by **Happy in Cyprus** » 19 Nov 2016 01:21

The optimist might say that if Russian tourists enjoyed a good holiday in Cyprus this year, they might wish to come again

I'm not convinced that tourists will flock back to Turkey anytime soon. Two reasons: there's too much going on politically at the moment...and security issues. And whilst there is uncertainty over where the pound will lie next Summer, surely people will be planning next year's holiday over the next month or two? Sterling has lifted over it's recent lows. Aside from which, whilst tourism from the UK is still important, tourists from all over Europe and the Middle East are coming to Cyprus in increasingly greater numbers. I believe the outlook is good.

by **cymart1** » 19 Nov 2016 13:35

We can only hope for the best---while being wary of the pitfalls of complacency,which is too easy to fall into when things have gone well?Many of the Russians who came here this year,especially to Paphos,were sent here by Tour firms who normally sent them to Turkey and not knowing any better and also not bothering to read the small print when they paid for their holiday(who does anyway??) they arrived here expecting the same as in Antalya,Kemer,Belek etc.Once they saw that the beaches were either poor or non-existent where they were staying,they were immediately furious-most Russians go to warm countries for the beaches and swimming more than anything else and are not interested in seeing ruins when it is 35 degrees C. or more!When they realised they had to pay for water to drink at their hotels as well it was the last straw,especially if they had young children with them!They are used to all-inclusive club-resorts like those in Turkey where food and drink are paid for in advance,even more so with the rouble being so low nowadays and I can see their point!
Cyprus is not cheap and even more so for people with low budgets.....Ayia Napa and Protaras are much more suitable for them because of the beaches,but even there they have been complaining in recent years that most Russians spend no money outside their hotels.
One U.K. specialist tour firm from Wales who my wife has dealt with for years has been here this week and their owner knows Cyprus very well and used to live here a couple of decades ago.He likes the place very much but says that the prices are the problem and this includes the flights....as they are not in the big league with those firms who also own their own airlines,they leave people to book their own flights from whichever airport they prefer.He thinks there is definite potential here and if the north opens-up after a solution the whole island will see better days but people need to be able to get here at affordable prices?
Hope this is of interest and have a good weekend,especially with todays weather!

by **Hiraeth** » 19 Nov 2016 15:45

It's all about expectation majority of the hotels in Cyprus were not designed for AI ...... Turkey is
TUI has enforced AI onto the hoteliers but here it's a hybrid the hotels have BB,HB, FB or AI
is there actually an exclusive AI hotel
AI holidays are not good for local restaurants and businesses as the people tend to stay in and around the hotel
Somebody once said to me there is a great difference between a tourist and a traveller and I'm now beginning to agree

by **cymart1** » 21 Nov 2016 13:45

Once a destination becomes dependent on large tour firms it is usually a one-way street and they effectively dictate the terms to the hoteliers which they are prepared to give them.They operate on a volume basis and only make a very small profit from each person they bring:most of the large firms also have their own charter planes,making it very hard for smaller ones to compete with them pricewise.
Over the many years me and my wife were involved with working for tour operators we both saw how Cyprus mistakenly followed the same route as other Mediterranean mass holiday resorts in Spain and elsewhere,with the smaller,Cyprus specialist firms being either squeezed out-(e.g.. Exchange Travel, Kypros,Libra,Cypriana,Aspro Holidays etc.) or taken over by the larger conglomerates such as Air Tours,who then in turn were taken over by an even larger corporation!
Unless you have private accomodation or are prepared to pay through the nose to arrange it yourself independently,the reality is that for a package tour to Cyprus nowadays the big firms often offer the best prices and this is why they are in business.
Coming back to the very volatile and unpredictable Russian market,One very large firm in Moscow controls over 75% of the market to Cyprus and having seen how firms in Europe operate,they have copied them and are even more ruthless!Knowing that they had already paid for a large number of hotel rooms in Cyprus for this summers season, they grabbed the opportunity when the Russian package market to Turkey went down the chute earlier this year after Putins tantrums with Erdogan when the Russian plane was shot down by Turkey.(this has now been sorted-out though as it cost both sides too much to prolong their squabble!)
Even if the people they brought to Paphos who were expecting it to be the same as Turkey weren't happy and won't come again,they filled their flight seats and rooms and achieved their object.....business is business and all the other aspects are just details!!

by **Carrot** » 23 Nov 2016 18:08

Hiraeth wrote:It's all about expectation majority of the hotels in Cyprus were not designed for AI ...... Turkey is
TUI has enforced AI onto the hoteliers but here it's a hybrid the hotels have BB,HB, FB or AI
is there actually an exclusive AI hotel
AI holidays are not good for local restaurants and businesses as the people tend to stay in and around the hotel
Somebody once said to me there is a great difference between a tourist and a traveller and I'm now beginning to agree

There are lots of just al inc hotels

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