The magazine of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation Issue no.1 Autumn 2007 www.visitcyprus.com CONTENTS CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE 2. DISCOVERING CYPRUS Dear Friends From timeless villages to modern café It is with great pleasure and culture… a host of activities for autumn enthusiasm that I welcome the first visitors. edition of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation’s publication “Love 4. THE REAL TASTE Cyprus”. We consider this OF CYPRUS publication as a significant From Mezé to Mexican… whatever communication tool and a way DESTINATION CYPRUS your preference, you can find it. of connecting with you, our dear friends and partners all over the world. 6. YOUR SPORTS It is a means to share our visions and to inform DESTINATION you about the recent developments regarding our country’s tourist product. Since your feedback is invaluable to From football to taekwondo… the right us, we are expecting this to evolve in a reciprocal relationship. hen Aphrodite, the goddess of love facilities are right here. We look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions and beauty, stepped from the sea and to hear your concerns. foam onto the shore at Petra tou 8. CONFERENCES & W As a quality tourist destination, Cyprus offers a rich and multi- Romiou near the west coast town of Pafos, INCENTIVES dimensional experience to its visitors. The island resembles a From fabulous functions to beach she was welcomed with open arms and carried mosaic, formed by numerous interlocking pieces. Pieces that barbecues... your meeting will be magical. triumphantly through gardens of fruit and reflect the uninterrupted Mediterranean sunlight, painted with flowers to a place where a temple was built inspiring colours from a palette of deep blue skies, golden sandy beaches and green pine-scented mountains. in her honour. 10. MEDICAL TOURISM From head to toe… state-of-the-art This island of love and beauty has been generously blessed. Even health and beauty care. so, at the Cyprus Tourism Organisation we do not remain idle. We News of Aphrodite’s arrival quickly spread to all the countries are dedicated and committed to our mission and the in the region. People arrived in their thousands, to worship implementation of our revised strategic plan. We are very aware of the goddess and to play and relax on the beautiful island she 12. A DAY IN THE HOLIDAY LIFE the need to be vigilant and adaptive to the continuously changing had chosen as her home. They are still coming. And they From markets to monasteries… a new complex environment of our industry. are every bit as welcome now as Aphrodite was all those experience is waiting for you. years ago. Working closely together with the country’s private and public sectors, our maximum effort is focused on enhancing and Cyprus values its visitors. Hospitality is an intrinsic part of improving the whole spectrum of the tourist product we offer. 14. CULTURAL LIFE every Cypriot’s nature and nothing gives us more pleasure A main goal of the Organisation is to significantly enrich the tourist From dance to drama… and so than having the opportunity to introduce newcomers to our experience and this is why we are continuously pursuing the much more island. We want them to enjoy our beautiful beaches, our development of new products beyond the Sea and Sun, especially superb resorts and timeless mountains villages. We want focusing on the development of special interest products. It is also to offer them their first taste of our unique cuisine and sweet recognised that, as an island, we are highly dependent on air wines. We want our visitors to share our sense of fun and 16. CTO NEWS transport. That is why we are making considerable efforts to adventure, whether it’s an impromptu party, wading through 18. CTO NEWS FROM encourage the introduction of new flights, increase the frequency rock-pools at midnight searching for octopus, or exploring of existing ones and improve flight-time schedules. remote mountain trails in search of solitude. ABROAD We are honoured to share with you our country’s unparalleled And when they return home, relaxed yet stimulated, we want ambience and distinctive atmosphere of positive energy. Our them to tell their families and friends, “you should go too, island of fun and relaxation anticipates your visit and looks forward you’ll love Cyprus”. 20.CTO MANAGEMENT to offering you a warm welcome. Panos Englezos Chairman Cyprus Tourism Organisation 01 Discovering Cyprus S U R P Y C Lefkosia, the island’s capital, is at the heart of the island and Hala Sultan Tekke near Larnaka, or the extensive G N like much of Cyprus is a fascinating blend of old and new. Archaeological Park and Tombs of the Kings in Pafos. In fact, so I R Much of the old city has been renovated in recent years and is impressive are the historical sites of Pafos that the entire town E contained within giant 16th century Venetian walls. Plentiful has been added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List! V O pavement cafes keep café culture well and truly alive here, C S Cyprus may have a long history, but it is also a high-tech I along with a broad selection of cultural attractions – from business centre at the cutting-edge of modern technology. D museums to theatres to art galleries. Given the island’s advantageous position on the border While you might think that the coastal towns of Lemesos, between Europe and the Middle East, its excellent air links with Larnaka and Pafos would be more focused on summer the region, and the exceptional IT infrastructure, many activities, they offer plenty to do in the cooler months. Many of international businesses have established operations here. the island’s major ancient sites are located near these towns and offer fascinating insights into the past. Visitors shouldn’t miss the extensive ruins of Kourion to the west of Lemesos, Cyprus. For all seasons. Legend has it that Cyprus was the Getting Around playground of the gods, and it is easy to he relatively short distances see why. A beautiful island to visit and Tbetween major towns and attractions make Cyprus the ideal explore at any time of year, the autumn place to go exploring. Regular bus services operate between the major is ideal for those looking to discover more towns and coastal resorts along with about life on the island as the intense further services to the rural communities. Taxis are commonplace summer heat has eased but the days and offer a relatively inexpensive means of getting from A to B. Coach remain sunny and bright. excursions are a popular way of seeing the major local attractions, while many Cyprus has a long, colourful history and has been ruled, at tourists choose to hire cars or various times, by the Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, motorcycles to explore the island at Persians, Romans, French, Venetians, Ottomans, and British. their own pace. Each has left behind something of their culture, making Cyprus the unique blend that it is today. The Cypriot people are renowned for being both outgoing and hospitable. Always ready to have a good time, Cypriots like Shopping Around nothing more than enjoying themselves in company along with plenty of food and drink. Many life-long friendships have been yprus is a fantastic destination for forged from a chance meeting in a local taverna! Cthose seeking a little retail therapy. From the beautiful beaches lapped by the Mediterranean to the From traditional handicrafts to the most majestic beauty of the Troodos mountain range, Cyprus is an popular designer labels, it’s the perfect island of contrasts with a long tradition of place to pick up that one-off Christmas hospitality. The major towns embrace gift or memento. Visit the large towns modern life and offer plenty to see and you’ll find outlets for most major and do for all ages, even outside of international brands. Head off the the summer months. For those beaten track and you’ll be able to looking for a more sedate choose from a broad selection of silver, break, the countryside is copper, and ceramics, along with the dotted with small villages unique Lefkaritika lace. Leather goods where time seems to have are also a popular choice with visitors, stood still and the old folk along with eye-wear, watches and sit outside coffee shops jewellery. watching the world go by. 02 Info: [email protected] or [email protected] 03 The real taste of Cyprus S U R P Y C F The Vakhis Project O E T ecently, the Cyprus Tourism S A ROrganisation (CTO) has worked T with the Higher Hotel Institute, to L introduce the ‘Vakhis Project’, A E which will ensure that everyone will R know which tavernas have been E awarded a special certificate for H T their authenticity. The Vakhis Project is named after a famous Cypriot chef, Vakhis, who lived in the ancient city of Kition in AD300. The CTO invited all tavernas and Wherever you go in Cyprus, you’ll several good Cyprus beers. Whilst you relax at the end of restaurants serving Cypriot the meal, try a glass of Cyprus Brandy or the island’s world- cuisine to reach the high rarely have a problem finding something famous dessert wine, Commandaria. standards it has laid down and to meet the approval of the special good to eat. Fine food ranks highly on The musical entertainment will vary from one taverna to committee, which includes another. In the more traditional establishments this is often representatives of the CTO, the the Cypriot list of priorities and there a single musician playing the Laouto, sometimes he is Higher Hotel Institute, Eurotoques are plenty of restaurants in all the main joined by another playing the violin.