Cyprus Mail
CyprusTourism

‘Larnaca enriched its tourism product in leaps and bounds in 2022’

ΕΤΑΠ Νέα έργα στα Περβολία
Pervolia near Larnaca

In 2022 the Larnaca tourism board (Etap) carried out actions aimed at the quality upgrade and enrichment of the city’s tourism product and its marine protected area, it said in a statement taking stock of the year.

“In 2022, Larnaca Etap carried out a plethora of multidimensional and substantial actions, with the main objective of upgrading the quality and enriching the tourism product of the region as well as promoting its comparative advantages in targeted markets,” the statement said.

Specifically, as part of a five-year programme aimed at making Larnaca beaches greener, this year the beach volleyball-tennis courts on Phinikoudes beach were completely upgraded, a playground was created on Voroklini beach and palm trees were planted on the Voroklini promenade and the windsurfing beaches of Kiti.

At the Larnaca salt lake, the abandoned overflow steps on the nature trail were supplemented with a wooden deck and turned into an informational platform.

At the same time, the beekeeping trail in Vavatsinia is also in the final stage of completion, while Etap contributed to the creation of a bee garden at the Bee and Embroidery Museum in Kato Drys.

To enrich the marine protected area of ​​Larnaca, amphorae were placed near the LEF1 shipwreck with the aim of increasing the biodiversity of the seabed and drawing more diving interest.

The statement also mentioned a number of projects carried out in several villages in the district, namely the landscaping of a park in central Lefkara, infrastructure works in Tochni, and instagrammable benches in Pervolia and Choirokitia.

In addition, a traditional fishing boat was prepared for Zygi, which will be placed at the entrance of the under-construction Fisheries Museum, while a copy of grave stele, the most important archaeological find from a burial site in Golgoi, is in the final stages of construction for the Kallinikeon museum in Athienou.

At the Livadia basket weaving memorial museum, a themed outdoor bench-exhibit has been installed wherein reeds have been ‘frozen’ in time inside resin.

“In recent years, Larnaca Etap has placed great emphasis on the digitisation of tourism tools and has therefore expanded the innovative Larnaca Storytelling Statues programme in 2022, with new statues that tell their story,” the statement said.

Among the new statues is Panas in the Kallinikeon museum of Athienou, while six more museums have been added to the Larnaca Virtual Museums 360° interactive tour platform.

Lastly, a video and VR360 3D virtual restoration of the archaeological settlement of Kalavasos has been prepared, which is under final approval by the department of antiquities.

The statement added that Etap’s marketing programme was also intensive, and included an online campaign in targeted markets, participation in exhibitions abroad, hosting journalists and travel organisers from abroad, continuous renewal of the website, promotion on social media, publication of a quarterly e-Newsletter, promotion through new videos and reels, branding of the passenger lounge at Larnaca Port as well as staffing and on-site trainings of the tourism industry.

The year’s actions also included support for European/international sports events with an emphasis on sports in which Larnaca has a comparative advantage.

Also, “actions aimed at improving the image of Larnaca concerned, among other things, the campaign to combat sign pollution in the borders of the Municipalities of Larnaca, Livadia and the Voroklini community council.

Finally, the statement said Etap “participated in five European Programmes and other networks concerning digital tourism, strengthening of the hospitality businesses in the post-pandemic era, tourism for people with sensory disabilities and cultural tourism”.

 

 

Follow the Cyprus Mail on Google News

Related Posts

EU to support establishment of asset management office in Cyprus

‘Akamas debacle will cost Cyprus dearly’

Andria Kades

Limassol gallery welcomes a journey of the mind

Eleni Philippou

Helios crash orphans denied state compensation

Andria Kades

Guards and cameras to protect schools over Easter

Tom Cleaver

Financial mismanagement at defence ministry – report

Nikolaos Prakas