Ayia Napa boasts an array of beaches
Credit: getty
Today, the situation is supposed to have calmed down.
Last year, Ayia Napa mayor Yiannis Karousos called for an end, once and for all, to “low quality youth” tourism, and said the town would take action.
Among plans were a new CCTV system and a large investment in a new marina. Months later, as if by direct consequence, Thomas Cook, which owned Club 18-30, said its lager-lager, lads-lads-lads brand would be dismantled.
Ayia Napa is now arm in arm with the likes of Magaluf, Hvar, and Ibiza in trying to attract more luxury travellers and young families. But it is unclear whether it’s been successful.
Ayia Napa aims to rebrand itself by 2030, so it is still early days.
Tui, Europe’s largest tour operator, sells the destination as “more than a party town”, pointing to 14 beaches to suit all tastes, a huge water park, and cultural day trips. But the reputation of Ayia Napa, which draws nearly one in 10 of all British visitors to Cyprus, still seems the focus of Foreign Office advice on British holidaymaker safety.
“If you drink, know your limit,” it says. “Drinks served in bars are often stronger than those in the UK.” It also warns women, in particular, to keep an eye on their drink “to avoid spiking.”
Ayia Napa is next year expecting the number of British tourist arrivals to increase slightly, Mr Karousos said in November. Whether that’s a result of the resort’s reputation or efforts to change is anyone’s guess. Mr Karousos will be hoping it’s the latter.
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Source link : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/cyprus/articles0/rise-of-ayia-napa-is-it-safe/
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Publish date : 2019-12-30 08:00:00
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