Ayia Napa is launching a campaign to stamp out touting for business.

Mayor Yiannis Karousos said that following the passage of legislation against soliciting for business last year, local authorities and police now had more power to fight the phenomenon.

“With the new legislation we have enough weapons to fight this,” Karousos told the Cyprus News Agency.

He said municipality employees had now be empowered to report anyone suspected of soliciting – from beaches to restaurants to leisure centres and anywhere else there were tourists and Cypriots being harassed by touters.

Penalties could mean loss of a business licence or a fine imposed on both the person touting for business, and any establishment owner who pays commission to such persons.

He said police would show zero tolerance.

“Everyone understands that this must be stopped,” he added.

Karousos said touting was even prevalent in the hotel industry with people going door to door trying to convince visitors to visit certain bars and restaurant, and other services use by visitors.

The other problem that still needed tackling however was noise pollution, especially from music, he said, adding that while there were many promises made to resolve it, “we have nothing in our hands”.

“Unfortunately we will start another [tourist] season without having resolved the issue of noise,” Karousos said. “Visitors cannot enjoy their food, coffee or drinks because the premises adjacent or opposite has music blaring.”