14 cyprus
gods ISLAND OF THE
The Brits have long held the supposed birthplace of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, close to their hearts, and numbers are again on the rise to an island that can promise year-round sunshine, says Jeannine Williamson
T
he Mediterranean’s third-largest island, with 10,000 years of history and more than 300 days of sunshine, Cyprus is a
land of contrasts where visitors can enjoy a wide range of different experiences. Cosmopolitan cities rub shoulders with amazing archaeological sites and sleepy rural villages lead to unspoilt, green countryside. In January and February it’s even possible to ski in the Troodos Mountains. A very safe destination, with family- friendly beaches and Europe’s cleanest, it’s also very easy to get around as Cypriots drive on the left and roads are well signposted. Nick Harding, Managing Director of Travel Designers, says: “Being just over a four-hour fl ight with easy regional connections, Cyprus is ideal for the family market, offering hotels in all categories and price ranges, and some going that extra mile for kids. For example, the Almyra in Paphos is perfect for young families with its baby welcome package. Also check out some of the newer hotels offering great all-inclusive plans.”
A former crown colony, Cyprus has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Britain that goes back to 1878, and today around 50,000 Brits live on the island and the UK is one of the top incoming tourism markets. Last year there were 891,229 UK arrivals, and although this represented a 7% decrease on 2012, this year’s fi gures are on the up. David Skillicorn, General Manager of Prestige Holidays, puts the island’s enduring popularity down to high hotel standards, friendly people and year-round sunshine. "The fact they drive on the left and English is
spoken everywhere helps as it makes it easier for visitors to explore the island,” he said. “Also, out of peak season travellers can pick up some great deals and there is a wide choice of departures from across the UK.” Gary Boyer, Head of Purchasing at Classic
Collection, added: “Many UK visitors think of Cyprus as a home from home. When it comes to Blue Flag beaches Cyprus is a world leader
sellingtravel.co.uk
with more than 50, which is more per capita, a greater concentration and the highest number per coastline length of almost any country in the world. And there is no shortage of luxury hotels of a very high standard at prices which are surprisingly affordable.” Paphos has been named European Capital
of Culture for 2017, but in the meantime, with extensive investment in Limassol and Larnaca, there are plenty of reasons to sell Cyprus now.
What’s new Accommodation: The Cyprus Tourism
Organisation (CTO) has launched the silver and gold Cyprus Tourism Quality Label (
cyprustourismquality.com), awarded to accommodation providers exceeding their offi cial star rating in areas like service and supporting the local community. Developed with the Cyprus Sustainable Tourist Initiative and the Travel Foundation, the CTO has also introduced mandatory eco-friendly sustainability standards
F CAPPELLARI
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