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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-01-22
CONTENTS
[01] CTO - HOTELIERS - TOURISM
[02] CYPRIOT CLIMBERS - ANDES
[01] CTO - HOTELIERS - TOURISM
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Cyprus Hoteliers Association
are making every effort to limit any negative fallout on the islands
main industry, tourism, which has been affected by the world financial
crisis, according to officials. Tourist arrivals in Cyprus have dropped
to 0,5% in 2008, according to the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, which
has warned that 2009 will be yet another difficult year for tourism. At
the same time, the Cyprus Hoteliers Association has said reservations
so far for the summer are much lower than last years numbers.
In a statement, the CTO said that according to official figures of the
Statistical Service, the overall number of tourist arrivals for 2008
reached 2.403.750, compared to 2.416.081 in 2007 marking a marginal
drop of 0.5%. It said that the drop was limited to 0.5% due to the
significant increase in arrivals from Russia (24.0%), from northern
countries (an average increase of 12.3%), despite the decrease in
tourist arrivals from the main markets of Great Britain, 3.1%, Germany,
4.6% and Greece 4.9%.
Meanwhile, General Director of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association
Zaharias Ioannides has told CNA that prospects for tourism in 2009
become harder as each day passes by because competition becomes acute.
He said that reservations so far for the summer are much lower than
last years numbers. Ioannides said that the biggest problem is the
British market which is expected to turn its attention to internal
tourism as well as destinations where the sterling is stronger and not
in Eurozone countries, such as Cyprus. Prices, he added, will be a
decisive factor for the British tourist this year, adding that Turkey
seems to be a preferred destination as reservations show a marked
increase.
[02] CYPRIOT CLIMBERS - ANDES
With a view to climb up Andes highest peak, Aconcagua, which rises to
6,962 m (22,841 ft) above sea level, four members of the Cypriot
Climbing Club `` KORFES``/``PEAKS`` left on Wednesday for Latin
America. The four climbers are Thanasis Kaisiaris, Giorgos Andreou,
Panagiotis Amira and Diana Miskouri, who are expected to reach the
Andes peak on February 11 or 12.
In statements before departure from Cyprus, Kaisiaris said that our
attempt is part of the clubs goal to set foot on the seven highest
peaks of all continents. He added that this is the second mission
taking place. Last year we concluded successfully the mission at
mountain ``Ålbrooks`` in Russia which is the highest mountain in
Europe, he added, noting that they will meet four American climbers
with whom they will form the team which will try to climb up the peak
of Aconcagua around February 11-12.
Kaisiaris said that it will take 16 to 20 days for the mission to be
completed. He also said that the mission is dedicated to the President
of Cyprus Mountaineering and Climbing Federation Michalis Ioannides,
who passed away last December.
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