On the basis of the results of the official Passengers Survey, 81,890 residents of Cyprus returned  from a trip aboard in December  compared to 89,228 in the corresponding  month last year recording  a decrease of  8.2%.

In December 2011 there was a 13.8% decline on the trips of residents to Greece (26,204 compared to 30,410 in December 2010) as well as 3.9% decrease in trips to the United Kingdom (25,657 compared to 26,712). It was the third consecutive  drop since October.,

For the 12 month period January –December , 1,20 million residents returned from a trip aboard  compared to 1,24 million for 2010 a decrease of 3%.

Over the year there was a 7,8% dip in trips to recession-hit Greece (395,045  2011 compared to 428,686 in 2010).

But last year there was a 1,9% increase in trips to the UK reaching 304,012 cyprus from 298,440 while the third largest destination from  Cyprus was Russia rising 1,6% to 55,508.

Unsurprisingly the biggest  dips were in visits to conflict-ravaged Egypt (-43,9% to 9291) and Syria (-55,7% to 6,517).

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Speaking  to Chairman of the Cyprus Dive Centre Association(CDCA) Andy Varoshiotis said efforts were at “an advanced stage” with the three craft purchased especially for the purpose expected to be at the bottom of the sea by June this year. The CDCA is spear-heading efforts for using these ships to create artificial reefs encompassing non-fishing areas.

Thousands of holidaymakers and residents of Cyprus enjoy scuba diving at a wide variety of sites around the island and dives to wrecks are often the most popular. Of these, the Zenobia wreck of the coast of Larnaca, is considered to be one of the world’s five best.

Wrecks have the added advantage of quickly turning into artificial reefs which attract a wide variety of marine life, particularly if fishing is outlawed at the site.

The CDCA efforts are being carried out to improve the natural marine environment and make Cyprus an even more attractive scuba diving destination, Varoshiotis told .

The CDCA is working in close cooperation with the department of Fisheries and Marine Research and , the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) funding, contributed to the purchase of two  of craft for the purpose—the Laboe and Nemesis III.

“A third craft, the Lady Thetis, has been purchased by the Association with co-funding from the CTO and others,” a CDCA announcement noted, adding that the Association was also in the midst of acquiring a fourth boat.

“The three boasts have already been evaluated by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and have been found to be suitable for use in the creation of artificial reefs,” said the CDCA which operates under the umbrella of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce  and Industry (KEVE)

Varoshiotis yesterday elaborated that studies were currently being carried  out to ensure the three craft would be properly cleaned and made safe for divers in accordance with relevant EU regulations.

1 environmental studies are also being carried out and the relevant government service is preparing reports on sea currents so that the craft can be placed in the best possible position,” he said.

Varoshiotis said that the artificial reefs would be an important boost to local marine life and  tourism.

“ there has been significant damage to the environment because of over fishing and there is also the huge problem of dumping. I believe that some hotels are still disposing  of waste- including chemicals mostly from their swimming pools and drains-into the sea,” he said.

All this had contributed to the presence of fewer fish. “This is why marine protected areas are so important. Artificial reefs can be inhabited by many species.”

The CDCA’s  second goal is to boost Cyprus’ destination as a diving destination.”The Zenobia wreck is one of the five best in the world. More wrecks around  Cyprus will contribute to its becoming an international diving destination, like Malta. That is what our aim will be, to enhance diving opportunities more and more,” he said.

With the first three wrecks scheduled to be in place by June, Varoshiotis also revealed their most likely sites to the paper.

“The NemesisIII will be in Protaras near the new Liberty wreck and the site will be knows as the Liberty Reef, the Lady Thetis will be in Dasaki, Limassol of the coast near the Holiday inn Hotel.”

Discussions on the exact site of the Laboe are still underway but Varoshiotis said it would potentially be off the coast of Paphos in the Amoudia area.

“We want to make the wrecks as accessible as possible to all levels of divers,” he added, noting that only experienced and properly certified divers should attempt penetrating wrecks and again only provided they have the necessary equipment with them.

Also speaking to the paper, veteran recreational diver Vassos Yiazos reflected local divers’ anticipation for the new sites.

Welcoming artificial reefs, Yiazos said: 1 It  is not only a good idea, it is a crucial move.”

“ Neighbouring countries like Egypt have the far more colourful Red Sea to attract divers and the Mediterranean is far less interesting on its own.” Yiazos continued:” I go diving at the Zenobia wreck almost every weekend year-round weather permitting and there new to see. Because fishing is not permitted around there, there are always a large number and variety of marine life to see and even the wreck itself provides a different diving experience depending on the time of year and depth you dive to.”

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Eating out in North Cyprus is not just an essential part of life it is a social activity, enjoyed by many in a wide selection of restaurants offering local cuisine, Italian, Indian or Chinese cuisine.

North Cyprus really is a destination   to suit all tastes.

Delicious and tasty food is not so much a part of life in North Cyprus, its better described as a way of life.

Entertaining plays an important role in North Cyprus and Meal times whether simple or lavish are always prepared with fresh ingredients and above all pride! As a visitor to North Cyprus you will be invited to share the North Cypriots passion for food , an offer you will not be able to resist.

What is on the Menu? Traditional Turkish Kebabs are very popular, along with fresh fish. Meals always start with meze, a variety of hot and cold starters and what better way to end your meal than with a delicious locally made desert. Of course a wide variety of European and International cuisine is also readily available. The choice is yours!

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The course in designed for those with responsibility  for developing or implementing an organisation’s online marketing strategy, as well as other managers with direct responsibility for the company’s marketing functions.

Last year’s participants include executives from Papaellinas Group , Cyprus Airways, Bank of Cyprus, CYTA and Top Kinisis Travel.

Taught by international digital marketing practitioners who run and deliver online marketing campaigns on a daily basis, the programme focuses on giving          participants the latest tools and practices, to build their online branding strategy and engage with customers online through Search Engine Marketing, Online Advertising , Affiliate Marketing, Mobile Marketing, E-mail Marketing, Web Analytics, Planning Digital  Marketing Campaigns and Social Media Marketing (Integrating Facebook, Twitter and Linked In onto your marketing strategy).

Participants will learn how to plan, implement and manage a comprehensive digital marketing strategy for their organisation, and to integrate digital  marketing tactics into the overall marketing strategy of the company, as well as to maximise the performance of its online marketing investments.

Upon successful completion, participants receive  certificates from CIIM  and also have the option to receive a Diploma from the Digital Marketing Institute  which involves optional submission of an additional assignment. The Digital Marketing Programme is taught in five  one-day sessions from March to June 2012 and    is partly subsidised by the HRDA

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Being held at the International state Fairgrounds from 6pm until Sunday, January 29,the 1st Horexpo Cyprus is aimed at the hotel, restaurant and cafe industry. Being held at the same tİme,the 2^nd Souvenir  Expo Cyprus will showcase souvenirs, gifts and home decor items. Both aim at bringing local businesses up to date  on the latest trends, practices and products connected to their sector.

Apart from the displays, featuring more than 70 exhibitors-including a large contingent from crete as part of an initiative between Cyprus and Crete  Chambers of commerce- the two events also incluse a series of academic and professional seminars.

Topics include Third Millennium Challenges : Tourism will never be the same , Sports Tourism – the new way forward, sales and customer service – New ideas ,new approaches and their use amongst others.

A full list of the talks can be found by selecting th relevant topic at http: www.horexpocyprus.com/en/visitors/guide.Alternatively, call 22841627 or 22841649 for more information. Organised by the state Fairs Authority and Greek conference and exhibition organisers Rota and Xenia, Horexpo Cyprus and Souvenir Expo Cyprus will be open from 4-10pm on each day. Both have free admittance although visitors will be invited to submit their business cards at the entrance

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The meeting’s key-note speaker will be Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias while experts from here and aboard, including Russia, Germany and Ireland, will address the event.

Titled  “ Year 2012: Critical for the long term future of Cyprus tourism,” the conference will in clued a products and services exhibition, also organised by CHA for 20^th consecutive year.

The meeting will open at 9pm and close at 4pm.

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During a live broadcast , singer Ivi Adamou performed three candidate songs  with pop tune ‘LALA Love’ coming out tops.

The song was written by Alex Papacostan tinou , Bjorn Djupstrom, Alexandra Zakka and Viktor Svensson.

It was produced by Victory and features instruments played by Svensson  and Papaconstantinou, who also arranged the vocals.

Additional backing vocals were provided by Jeanette Olsson.

The 57^th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan  on May 22, 24 and 26 with Cyprus competing in this group.

The song can be heard on www.cybc.com.cy. Cyprus’ Eurovision entry selection was sponsored by MTN.

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Once  a top hotspot destination in Europe for holidaying  clubbers,  the resort’s  tourism industry has faced stiff  competition  from rival destinations, prompting  Ayia Napa to seek to change its image to a more family-orientated destination.

Now Ayia Napa Mayor Antonis Tsokkos claims that cutting of sports tourism funding will be the final straw.

“ I believe that Ayia Napa will be crucially affected by this move because the area depends to a great extent on sports tourism during the winter period,”    he told. “ Between mid-January  and mid-March, some  Cyprus hotels  depend entirely on teams coming to areas like Ayia Napa to stay there and use the facilities . I  believe  that we have suffered enough and  I call  upon the CTO (Cyprus Tourism Organisation), the House  Finance Committee and the government in general not to cut our funding. Cutting off our funding will be the end of us.”

The Famagusta district receives yearly funding from the government to help them in their efforts to attract    football teams-in winter training –in their area.

A huge sports complex featuring around 16 pitches, plenty of hotels and mild temperatures make Ayia Napa  an ideal destination for football teams especially from northern Europe, Scandinavia  and Great Britain. But those facilities are now in danger og being left to rot warned  Tsokkos.

“We have already seen a wave of cancellations and this in turn runs the risk of hotels closing down in the area. A lot of these hotels and business depend  on winter sports tourism to survive so by cutting our funding they are effectively cutting off our life support machine.”

The Ayia Napa mayor also fears that the cancellation will have a knock-on effect that could damage tourism in the area irreparably.

“The cancellation of teams coming out here to train will also have a negative impact on winter tourism. Flights will also be affected from coming out here meaning that we will sec elderly tourists, especially from Scandinavia , looking elsewhere for holidays aboard.”

Around 20 teams were expected to fly into Cyprus this winter but around half look set to cancel.

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To be held in Greek, the conference, according to a University announcement, aims to  encourage  ‘the formation  of specific goals and the realisation of significant steps towards the further upgrading of music in Cyprus .’ People involved in all sectors of the local music scene, including representatives of organised bodies, are  expected to attend the event, which is also open to the general public . the conference will take place between 9am-6.30pm and those attending will be awarded with certificates of participation at the end.

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‘The efforts are continuous and they are mainly focused on having flights from other Russian cities to Cyprus.

‘Russian state carrier Aeroflot flies from Moscow to Larnaca and we are trying to reach an agreement with it to fly from other Russian  cities also Cyprus.

‘With regards to the Russian private carrier Transaero, which currently flies from St Petersburg to Paphos, the aim is also to get to fly from other cities, ’Communications Ministry deputy permanent secretary Alecos Michaelides told.

‘With these efforts, the number of passengers flying to Cyprus with the two airlines would double . ıt is estimated that Aeroflot and Transaero currently carry around 200,000 pasengers to Larnaca and Paphos airports every year,’ he added.

Michaelides was not in a position to say how close to a deal the negotiations with the two airlines were, as there were some hurdles on the Russian side, with Aeroflot being a state carrier.

According to informed sources, the  recent announcement by Hermes Airports and the Communications Ministry of incentives for airlines sparked increase from a number of carriers including Hungary’s  Wizzair.

Hermes Airports spokesman Adamos Aspris was not in a position to reveal the names of the interested airlines but he admitted negotiations were underway.

‘there is an open communication channel with various airlines which have shows an interest.  It is a fact that negotiations are underway with more airlines that have expressed an  interest to take advantage of the incentive schemes of the two airports but we cannot reveal the names of these airlines since we wish to avoid the possibility of causing any damage to the negotiation process.’

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