More buses are needed to link Paphos city and the airport with rural areas such as Polis Chrysochous and Coral Bay, one regional tourism official said on Tuesday.

Head of the Paphos regional tourism board (Etap) Kyriacos Drousiotis said that an increased number of flights into Paphos and higher demand from residents means that more buses are needed.

To emphasise his point, Drousiotis pointed out that just four routes currently operate to link Paphos airport and Polis Chrysochous – “this is not sufficient”.

He said that Etap has for years been calling for more routes to be added, calling on the state and its officials to provide solutions.

But Drousiotis said that residents also require greater connectivity via public transport, arguing that buses could run from 10am and return at 4pm to allow for more day trips to villages.

He gave another example, that of Coral Bay – stating that in some cases passengers are required to take two buses and buy two tickets.

Drousiotis also took aim at the state of – or rather lack of – bus shelters in place.

“In several cases they are inadequate, especially considering the high temperatures in Cyprus, shelters must be installed in Paphos – a city that is primarily tourist-oriented and spends a considerable amount of money to attract tourists,” he added.