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Melco Cyprus hosts Ayia Napa Harbour underwater clean-up

21/06/2022 10:18
  • Joining forces with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and local organisations

Melco Cyprus, operator of Cyprus Casinos (C2) and the upcoming integrated resort (IR) City of Dreams Mediterranean, organised an underwater clean-up of Ayia Napa Harbour on Sunday, 19 June in efforts to reduce marine litter and raise awareness about the impact of pollution on the Mediterranean Sea’s ecosystem.

During the event, Melco Cyprus colleagues and volunteers collected litter and debris from the seabed, including plastic bags, bottles and tins.

The clean-up was organised by Melco Cyprus and Nautilus C.M.A.S. Diving Club Limassol with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. The Cyprus Federation of Underwater Activities and SeaQuest Divers Club also participated in the initiative.

Mr. Christodoulos Papachristodoulou, Tourist Officer, Strategy, Marketing & International Relations, Deputy Ministry of Tourism, said, “On behalf of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism I would like to extend my congratulations to the organisers and volunteers for taking the initiative to clean up Ayia Napa Harbour. The Ministry will always support actions aimed at improving marine water quality. The promotion of diving tourism is a priority for the Ministry in the National Tourism Strategy 2020 – 2030, therefore we are currently proceeding with a series of measures aimed at upgrading the quality of the specific tourist product, as well as the supportive services and infrastructure to serve both local divers, as well as those visiting from abroad.”

Mr. Grant Johnson, Property General Manager of City of Dreams Mediterranean and Cyprus Casinos, stated, “I wish to extend a warm thank you to all the volunteers who took part in the underwater clean-up and we are grateful to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism for supporting the event. The Mediterranean Sea is the lifeline of Cyprus, acting as a climate regulator, a biodiversity hub and a source of income for many. Sustainable management of the sea and its resources is one of the biggest issues we face on a global level. Through this initiative, we hope to raise awareness about the importance of preserving our ecosystems, as well as protecting the country’s valuable marine environment while supporting the efforts of the local community to effectively address increasing challenges.”

Environmental protection is a key strategic pillar of Melco's corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Cyprus. The Company’s commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected across its operational and strategic development decisions, while best practices in sustainability extend to all its properties globally as part of the Group’s sustainability strategy ‘RISE to go Above & Beyond’.