Holidaymaker  spent more on the  island last month despite a 3.3% fall in arrivals during January.

According to official data, revenue from tourism reached euro29.8m in January compared to euro29.7m in  the same month last year , recording an increase of 0.4%.

Nevertheless , tourism income for January is still down 15.6% on 2008 levels.

Cyprus tourism revenue in 2010 improved 3.8% on a year earlier; boosting confidence the key sector can consolidate the island’s fledgling economic recovery. Revenue for January  to  December  2010 reached euro1.54b compared with  euro1.49b for 2009.

It dropped in 2009 from euro1.79b in 2008 and euro1.85b in 2007.

Income from tourism accounts for 12% of Cyprus’s gross domestic product.

The average daily amount spent by tourists in January was euro63.5 and the average stay was 10.6 days.

Israelis were the biggest spenders at an average euro125.5 a day, while the recession-hit Irish were the most frugal, spending just euro34.7.

Holidaymakers to Cyprus hit a high of 2.69 million in 2001 spending a record euro2.17.

Banking on improved tourism income, the government predicts the economy will grow by around 1.5% in 2011 after kicking off an unprecedented year-long recession in 2009.

GDP growth figures for 2010 are expected to be 0.9% after the economy reversed 1.7%.

Cyprus is trying to reduce a fiscal deficit that was almost double the EU’s permitted ceiling of three percent last year.

The government has raised taxes and cut spending in efforts to bring the deficit below 4% this year  as mandated by Brussels.

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A new group promoting the improvement of Nicosia is calling on other concerned residents to join their efforts.

Speaking to the press `Friends of Nicosia` chairman Michalis Sarris –a former Finance Minister- out –lined some of the group’s aims, starting with inviting people here and aboard to sign an online petition calling for the new Cyprus Museum, due to be built on the site of the old Nicosia General Hospital , to be constructed as soon as possible.

Sarris pointed out that plans to relocate the Museum from its current location near Nicosia Municipal Theatre had  been in the pipeline for 40 years since the currently building is not large enough to house all the pieces at his disposal, some of which remained in the Museum’s basement for decades.

Group Secretary, businesswoman Marianna Trokoudi, added that `Friends of Nicosia` hoped to collect at least 20,000 signatures.

Operating under the banner `Together seeking the Nicosia  we deserve,` `Friends of Nicosia` is also organising an event on Saturday. April 9 entitled `Nicosia: the president and the future` which will include expert speakers from the municipalities of  Barcelona and Paris.

Also speaking at Wednesday’s press conference, group member Dr Nicos Maroudias said that ` Friends of Nicosia` was a non-profit, non-political, non-ideological  group that “invites everyone in Nicosia to join us.”

Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou congratulated the group for its initiative and said she and her Municipal Council was looking forward to working with them.

The Friends of Nicosia were also invited to join forces with other organisations working to improve Nicosia. Complaints cited by residents of the  city centre include litter, noise and difficulty accessing their homes by car.

There is a euro5 registration fee and euro10 annual membership fee to be part of `Friends of Nicosia`.  Those interested can sign-up online through the group’s website (sea below.) Also , those who do net want to join can submit their e-mail address to receive updates on the group’s activities.

For more information on Friends of Nicosia, in Greek visit www.filoitislefkosias.org

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Limassol’s newly built  Panos Solomonides Municipal Cultural Centre  is the setting for a photographic  exhibition displaying outstanding images  taken  from last year’s carnival. The exhibition, inaugurated by Mayor Andreas Christou earlier this week,  officially launched the celebrations for this year’s carnival. It was complemented by the choral and dance displays given by the Ariones Choir  and the Limassol Majorettes.

In an appropriately festive mood, Christou  donned a hat for the occasion and the free flowing wine and refreshments provided a sense of what is to come as the carnival spirit takes hold across Limassol town.

To mark Carnival’s ever-growing popularity (more than 95 floats are taking psrt in the procession this year), plans are already underway for an international symposium of Carnival organisers and representatives to be held here in 2014.

The photographic exhibition is a collaborative  project  organised by the Municipality and the Cyprus Photographic Society Limassol Branch. All the images on display were entered into a competition with the theme `Limassol Carnival` the evening honoured the winners who were presented with their certificates by the Mayor and Marios Ioannides, the CPS President for the last 22 years.

Ioannides spoke of the “outstanding quality” of the photographic images taken by the CPS members and that their work captures “a moment that would otherwise be lost for ever, since every image is a memory, not just a picture. The visual record of this great Limassol tradition (the Carnival) is one to be treasured…”

The CPS is a long established national association with more than 240 members island wide.

Every town has its own branch and in Limassol the CPS is now in its 27^th year. The photographic recording of the Limassol Carnival by the CPS is now an annual event ; it began three years ago. This year’s event will be presented as a visual record in next year’s photographic  exhibition.

The winners announced during the evening were awarded monetary prizes: first and third prize went to George Panatazis and second prize to Rami Alkhoury.

The exhibition will run until March 4. For further information contact the CPS website on : www.cps.com.cy

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The chairman of the Cyprus Restaurant Association (SYKAP) has warned that members could hold strikers during the spring and summer tourist season if demands for support are not met.

Neofytos Thrassyvoulou told that the entertainment sector needs key cash breaks in order for it   to keep its head above water this year.

“We have already asked for a reduction in our electricity bills. Even when restaurants are not open they consume a lot of power through equipment in the kitchen,” he said.

Thrassyvoulou was speaking just days after the association met Commerce Minister Antonis Paschalides to discuss measures which could help the struggling sector.

“Our main problem continues to be all- inclusive hotel packages which mean that tourists do not venture out of their hotels and spend money” he said.

The association hopes to meet with the Hoteliers Association in coming weeks in order to come to a compromise situation that would assist both.

“We do not want to stop all-inclusive packages entirely. We just want to establish an official proportional percentage which limits the number of such deals in order to give external restaurants a chance of competing.”

Last December scores of restaurants in Paphos shut for one day to highlight the hardships they are facing . Since then, SYKAP has consulted with a lawyer over imposition of rent ceilings and has written to the government Energy Service about stabilising electricity tariffs. Other problems its members are facing are an over-saturated market and takeaways operating as restaurants.

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation which operates under the Commerce Ministry has, meanwhile, grants for restaurants owners for upgrades on their premises.

Described as “Incentive scheme for the upgrading and diversifying the tourism product”, the programme includes a draft grant for the cost of refurbishing existing toilets, a new project grant from the cost of improving, upgrading and redecoration of exterior facades  and an aid programme to ensure that certain health and safety criteria are met.

There are about 700 restaurants in Paphos District. SYKAP has around 450 members, a number which increased following a pre-Christmas meeting with English restaurant owners.

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A wedding fair being held this week in Coral Bay will showcase the products and services of businesses dealing with a bride and groom’s special day.

The wedding Fair , organised by in Any Event, will present more than 40 companies associated with nuptials from across Cyprus to inform the public about their individual products and services.

“Planning a wedding can be stressful and time consuming so this is an excellent opportunity for brides to be and bridal parties to see many options in a single day and from some of the best wedding specialists in Cyprus,” Anita Hopkins of In Any event said.

Veronicards of Paphos  will dress the main hall where exhibitors will include specialists in bridal wear, beauty hairdressing, transport, cakes, entertainers, photography and stationery.

“November and February are the best times for finding out about the extra services associated with weddings. Lots of marriage proposals happen around Valentines Day, so couples are looking into planning their weddings soon afterwards! We have a great selection of companies which can help at the event.”

The highlight of the fair will be a one-hour fashion show using a combination of exhibiting wedding dress companies, makeup artists and hair dressers. Mother of the bride fashion will also be modelled along with clothing for bridesmaids and page boys.

The models will be accompanied by music from Theophanos Promotions from Nicosia and stage dressing and bouquets provided by Annivia in Paphos. The show stars at 6pm.

Visitors will also be able to participate in a special prize draw for the prize of a euro500 voucher provided by Kimberly Polished  Diamonds who are also exhibiting at the fair. “There collection of beautifully cut diamonds and jewellery will be on show throughout the day with directors on hand to offer specialist jewellery advice. One lucky visitor will win the voucher. The raffle is only euro5, “ Anita said. Throughout the day different bands will perform providing entertainment and showcasing their talents. Each of the bands can be booked for a wedding reception.

In Any Event are  holding the Wedding Fair on Sunday, February 27, at the Coral Beach Hotel and Resort at Coral Bay between the hours of 11am-9pm. Entrance is free.

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