07.11.18 News Diving to success
Cyprus (EU900) is heading for a record year after seeing a near 8% increase in arrivals so far in 2018. The island, which still has to register figures from two of its peak months, saw 3.24 million arrivals in the January-September period, an increase of 7.9% and a record in itself.
In the first nine months of the year, upswings in the numbers of tourists from Ukraine and Poland – both showing 50%-plus increases – and Switzerland (+29%), offset a 4.9% drop in the number of Russians visiting, which fell from 703,000 to 669,000.
UK arrivals, however, showed a strong 5.3% increase during the period. The UK remains the main source of tourists to Cyprus with 1.09 million visitors. So far this year, they comprise 33.8% of the total,
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Nashville’s chance in the spotlight
Two museum openings, a major NFL event and increased access from Europe will put Nashville (NA450) in the spotlight in 2019.
British Airways launched flights to the city from London in May, now Europe’s only non-stop connection to Nashville, and has already confirmed two extra frequencies next summer due to the destination’s popularity. Sean Doyle, British Airways
director of network and alliances, said: “We only launched this route earlier this year and it is testament to the appeal of the city and all that it offers that we’re able to increase our service in such a short timeframe. “Indeed, it’s the quickest new route that we’ve moved to a daily service in the past 10 years.” The country music capital will become home to the National Museum of African American Music
next year. The museum, which has been in the planning since 2002, will explain how African American artists have influenced more than 50 genres of music, and will have seven galleries focusing on music types from theatre and gospel to hip hop. The opening follows that of the Tennessee State Museum in October 2018 in the Downtown area, housing one of the largest Civil War collections in the USA.
Honky tonk bars in Nashville, Tennessee
The city has also scored a major sporting coup by hosting the NFL Draft, from April 25-27 next year. The annual event is American Football’s biggest source of player recruitment, watched by 45 million in the USA and is estimated to attract up to 25,000 visitors. It will be only the fifth time since 1965 that the Draft has been held outside New York. Nashville added 2,500 hotel rooms in 2018 and last year saw nine properties open with more than 1,200 new bedrooms, including the Mad Men-style Fairlane. Another 31 are under construction and 19 are in the final planning stages. Next year will see a Virgin Hotels property open in December and the 217- room tropical-themed Margaritaville Nashville open in the autumn.
The Zenobia wreck is considered one of the world’s best dive sites
followed by Russia with 20.6%, Israel with 6.2% and Germany with 4.4%. Cyprus is preparing to undertake one of the largest infrastructure projects in its history, with the
building of Larnaca Port and Marina at a cost of €1 billion. Tender documents were sent to potential developers in September. Dinos Lefkaritis, Larnaka Tourism
Board chairman, said: “Larnaca is entering an era where its full potential will be realised. It’s already a fact that our region’s popularity is rising year by year. New city and boutique hotels as well as agrotourist establishments are opening up and more are about to operate in the next couple of years.” Another key tourism project was the sinking of the 63-metre vessel Elpida off the coast of Voroklini earlier this year, to create an artificial dive reef. A smaller 16-metre ship was also sunk to attract snorkellers. The new attraction will add to the island’s appeal to divers, as the wreck of Zenobia, which sank in 1980 carrying more than 100 articulated lorries, is regularly rated one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. Key hotel developments in 2019 include the opening of a Radisson Blu Conference and Airport hotel at Larnaca International airport, and the Solaar Boutique and Spa Hotel (formerly Michaels Beach), which will open in Voroklini.
HOTEL OPENING
Fifth property for Santikos
Greek hotel brand Santikos Collection (EU1090) will add a fifth property to its portfolio next spring. The new four-star hotel, The Alex, is the group’s first on the Athens Riviera and is set to open next May. It joins Marpunta Resort on the island of Alonnisos, Santikos Mansion in the Pelion region and the Aegean Suites and Princess Resort, both located on Skiathos.
The Alex will be located 30 minutes from the city centre and include 33 rooms and suites plus an outdoor pool and rooftop bar and restaurant. Rates will be from €120 room-only. “The aim is to create a simple yet luxurious, laid-back space that will attract a young professional audience – both local and international guests, with lively, vibrant, communal spaces,” said a spokesperson.
Santikos Collection’s The Alex hotel
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