MULTI-MILLION plans involving 15 ambitious development projects, which promise to change the face of Larnaca are in the works over the next five years, the town’s tourism board announced yesterday.
“Over the next five years Larnaca will acquire a new upscale image, making it as a very significant tourist destination with excellent infrastructure, superstructure and quality services with facilities for locals and tourists,” said said Larnaca Tourism Board chief Dinos Lefkaritis, who is also president of the Larnaca Chamber of Commerce.
“These projects are expected to create a new dynamic,” Lefkaritis however stressed the need for project deadlines to be kept for the huge five-year undertaking to be achieved.
Larnaca has for years been in many respects ‘tourism‘s underdog’ as most tourists saw it simply as the town where the airport was located rather than a tourist destination in its own right.
But the tourism board which is made up of interested parties such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, the Cyprus Hotels Association and the Association of Cyprus Travel Agents among others, yesterday launched a the new brochure setting out 15 new projects that will be implemented over the next five years.
“Although Larnaca has always offered plenty to both its residents and visitors, this is being further enhanced with a host of changes the town has recently undergone and will undergo,” the board said in its announcement.”
“Big investments such as the new international airport and the creation of three town squares – amongst others – have been a welcome addition, but Larnaca has even bigger plans. Thanks to these changes, Larnaca’s future has never looked brighter.”
The projects include such well-known developments as the new marina with some lesser known projects such as the revamp of Piale Pashia, a walkway between Pyla and Voroklini and an environmental centre at the Salt Lake,
A spokesman at the board was yesterday reluctant to put a figure on the total cost of the 15 developments. “Some are just approximate budgets and for others the budget has not been worked out yet,” the spokesman said. However it is known that the marina project alone could come in at over €80 million.
The Larnaca Tourism Board was established in 2008 to promote Larnaca as a tourist destination and to offer new initiatives to attract visitors. “The Larnaca Tourism Board has been working tirelessly to upgrade Larnaca and its services since its inception, and with so many positive changes on the way, it won’t be long before this already-popular destination becomes a firm favourite for all,” the board said.
The 15 projects are:
Marina: Expansion to accommodate up to 900 berths, luxury villas, a 5-star hotel and commercial and recreation areas with plazas, shops, dining, promenades and parks.
Completion: phase 1 – 2015. Full – 2020
Piale Pasha: The coastal road from the Medieval Castle towards
McKenzie), will become more pedestrian friendly and attractive with .
a cycle lane, walkways, new lighting and a green area.
Completion 2013
Olympic shooting range in Klavdia village: Four combined Olympic trap-skeet-double trap, one separate skeet, one separate trapdoubletrap layout and 10 – 12 layouts for sporting and kompak shooting, hosting major competitions and European training.
Completion 2011
Golf course at Tersephanou: International standard, 18-hole par 71 golf course will have water features and will boast Cyprus’ only PGA. The Academy will provide state-of-the-art technologies and instruction. It will also boast an elevated clubhouse, spa and banqueting and conference facilities.
Completion 2014
Removal of Oil Refineries; The road from Larnaca city centre to the tourist region of the Larnaca-Dhekeleia Road will undergo regeneration with the removal of the oil refineries and new area upgrades that will provide an extra 3km of beach.
Completion 2014
Completion of Larnaca-Dekeleia Road: Phases C and D of roadworks along the Larnaca-Dekeleia Road will see the roads in the areas of Voroklini and Pyla completed. The road will be modernised with the creation of walkways, cycle paths and green spaces.
Completion 2014
Excavations at ancient Kition: The tennis courts will be relocated so that further excavations can commence and the site will become an archaeological park along with the archaeological museum.
Completion 2013
McKenzie Sports Complex: An attractive and convenient place
for training sessions and matches for both local teams/athletes
and those from abroad. Facilities will include a football and
track field, three football pitches, 10 tennis courts, a café and
changing rooms with showers and toilets.
Completion Phase 1– 2012, Full 2015
Alethriko Tennis & Sports Centre: New sports village whose focal point
will be a 5,000-seater professional tennis court – as approved by
the International Tennis Federation for world-class tennis tournaments
like the ATP 500 and the WTA. There will also be a tennis academy and facilities for hockey, basketball, mini football, volleyball, boxing, Olympic standard gymnastics and ice-skating.
Completion 2014
Pedestrian walkway Pyla-Voroklini. The two tourist areas will be
seamlessly joined with a single 5.5 km seafront walkway for pedestrians to enjoy a scenic stroll right alongside the sea, spanning the distance
from Mer Bleu to Larnaca city limits.
Completion Date: 2013
Voroklini open-air amphitheatre: A traditional open-air amphitheatre to
host all types of events and entertainment. Built at the foot of the mountain, it will seat 1,100 spectators.
Completion 2014
Lefkara conference centre: To be built in the traditional architectural style of the village, the centre will serve as a multi-purpose venue with the capacity for 300 people.
Completion 2012
Environmental centre, Salt Lake: The new information centre will provide visitors with information on the different types of flora and fauna that live in the salt marshes and wetlands, and will help to preserve the
importance of this natural treasure.
Completion 2013
Skarinou environmental education centre: Based in the hillside village,t he centre will educate and inform visitors about Larnaca district’s mountainous villages and their natural beauty. It will also promote visits to these areas and ensure their protection by making people aware of their significance
Completion Date: 2013
Larnaca Cultural Walk: Larnaca will offer tourists three new walks that take in the town’s various attractions, all with comprehensive signage.
Completion 2011
Source: Cyprus Mail
