At long last dear readers the Larnaca Port and Marina has been initially awarded to the successful tenderer, the Vouros Group, last week. We say at long last, because this project was an Odyssey nothing to be jealous about the ancient history Hero Odysseus, who took 25 years to reach home after the Troyan War. The project started as an inception 15 years ago and it had to go rough waters, eminating from the objections of the 12 port workers, various pressure groups and others, who, with their narrow-minded attitudes blocked this €1 bil. much needed project for so many years. The proposal envisages the redesign of the Larnaca port to become an international standard cruise port, the development of a hotel with conference halls, shops and entertainment uses, 80 villas set, literally in the water (built on breakwaters) with their own berths and another 1500 apartments in high rise blocks. The marina will comprise of 800 berths with all modern international facilities. This prime 250.000 sq.mts. of land, was the subject of intensive competition from international players of the industry.

The + Cybarco group) the Ariadni consortium (Australian Marina Managers & Operators), the Singapore Cruise Center [for the cruises], a work of art passengers hall (designed by D.P. Architects from Singapore) similar in design as the known Opera House at Sydney, thousands of parking places, public green and walkways a “free” new Municipality building etc. This 800 Marina berth project will set Cyprus, together with the other marinas that are planned and the work (BOT) awarded (Paphos, Limassol, Ayia Napa) is a priority infrastructural project, which will set Cyprus to a different standard for marina and holiday home destination. Strange as it might sound for most of us, Cyprus demand for berths and marina facilities exceeds available supply by 4 times and this without taking into account the new target market that all the new 4 marinas (plus another 3 – smaller ones Zygi/Pissouri/Latchi/Ayios Theodoros) will provide, thus making a round Cyprus trip with a yacht an enjoyable event.

For us isolated islanders, have been watching with concern the coming intensive competition from nearby countries such as Turkey (18 marinas under development), Greece’s nas in the Greek islands, similar projects in Lebanon and Egypt. These marina projects will offer around 2500 housing units for sale on a long term lease of 99 years, which will compete to an extent with the up market golf projects (around 10 awaiting permits) which will add another 4000 new golf housing units for sale. It is an evident problem in the sense that both the Marinas/golf projects will come into the market, be it in stages at the same time, but within a time period of 5-10 years. We fear that this over supply, with the increasing competition, might affect prices/quality and of course the feasibility of such projects.

We are going through also a most distressing economic crisis which is another additional negative factor regarding these investments, but, we, hope, that by the time projects come into the market, the crisis will be over and circumstances will be different. Also Cyprus will become one of the highest golf development densities in the world, the marinas in addition and together with the new airports and the solving (by that time) the potable water situation, will cause new market attractions.

Cyprus need a lot more infrastructure to complement these new high income group markets, such as a casino (similar to the ex-Beirut casino with entertainment facilities) another competition horse racing in Limassol, new large scale (over 1000 people’s capacity) conference centers etc. All these new infrastructural tourist based projects form part of the Government’s 10 year upgrading the tourist industry plan. All these and other new projects that will come into the market however, must be accompanied by the solving of the title deed issue, the non-speaking and non-friendly foreign waiters, the objectionable by a large percentage thieving taxi drivers etc. It is not enough to have these projects without the support of other groups of people, who are giving a very bad name to Cyprus visitors, including the most objectional high prices of food and drinks in the tourist area “supermarkets”. However the commencement of development has been set and for those of us who will be around over the next 5-10 years, Cyprus will be a different place (if we play our cards right). For many newcomers in the island, the situation is not at all satisfactory, but for us who have being living here, over the last 10 years, there is a noticeable improvement in most directions. Joining the E.U. was a most positive consideration and notwithstanding the cost of the local economy (Cyprus being a positive contributor to the E.U. funds) the future looks positive, at least for the younger generation.

Because we have carried out the financial/development plan of the Larnaca project during our investigation, we were shocked to discover the selling prices of housing units in other marinas, such as the Malta (Valetta marina) next to the Hilton Hotel. No beach to talk about, away from the town, a casino which is nothing to remember and local food which is not of particular interest, yet apartments on the marina project were selling at €10.000/sq.m.!! As the general global economy improves and as work time/ holidays become shorter (the first) and elongated (the second) holiday destinations will become more and more in fashion.

Coming back to this huge Larnaca project, we wish to draw your attention to the fact that this project will be located within the old Larnaca town, next to a sandy and extensive beach, next to the renovated old city and the castle and only 15’ minutes drive from the airport, whereas Nicosia and the other towns are within a driving distance of 40 minutes (Nicosia-Limassol-Paralimni). We wrote in the past that Larnaca will become the new St. Tropez of eastern Mediterranean and for those who have visited St. Tropez and the other local projects which are going on at the moment in Larnaca (renovated old city), Larnaca will have nothing to be jealous about. A bit far fetched you might think – Nothing at all, notwithstanding the fact that the travelling distance from the main European cities and the U.S.A. is longer (see Dubai). These projects need time to be established in themselves, so that in general Cyprus as a whole will benefit.

It will be a mistake on our part not to mention the Mayor of Larnaca and his Council, as well as the wide minded secretary of the local Municipality for their timeless efforts to make this Larnaca project on paper come to life. We do need more open minded people in Cyprus and we say this because it reminds us of an ex Paralimni Mayor who did whatever he did to block the Paralimni marina project for yet unknown reasons. So we lost one marina and in a location where most Nicosia wealthy yacht owners have their homes. On the other side, the Pissouri Improvement Board has fought and fought to have a marina and it got it.

And all these our dear readers are happening during the new “communist/socialist” Government of ours!! – In this respect, Cyprus, is indeed, worthy of scholars studies for others note

“Times are changing” as Bob Dylan says in one of his most popular (1965) songs.

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