12/07/2004 15:11
Revenues from the sale of villas to foreign buyers in Cyprus stood at £500 million, Commerce Minister, Giorgos Lillikas revealed on Monday, speaking at the joint meeting of the House Commerce and Finance Committees on tourism.
Invited to comment on the statements of STEK Chairman, Phedias Karris, that buyers usually rent their villages to visitors, Mr. Lillikas said that the benefits from the sale of villas are very important for the Republic and it is very difficult to control the phenomenon. The sharp increase in the purchase of villas by foreigners is mostly attributable to the Cyprus’ accession in the EU.
Responding on the questions made by the members of the two House Committees, the Minister said that the government will submit a bill for the opening of a casino in Cyprus in early 2005 and will prepare studies that will include regulations and conditions on the number of casinos that will operate on the island.
With regard to the movement of tourists from the free areas to the occupied territories, Mr. Lillikas said that the number of tourists visiting the T/C areas is small, but refused to proceed to further details. As for the CTO’s campaign on Cyprus, Mr. Lillikas admitted that there were significant problems in its promotion and announced that campaigns will be assigned to bidders.
Malta
As regards to the issue of visas to Russian tourists, AKEL MP, Stavros Evagorou reveled recently that Malta was granted an exception by the EU, so that the issue of Russian visas is carried out at the airport on the arrival of the Russian tourists. On the other hand, Cyprus did not claim a similar request during the accession negotiations.
Mr. Evagorou also said that tourist arrivals are expected to be lower for this year (-15 thousand), while revenues will show losses of £7-8 million.
The MP demanded that the issue will be set before the Council of Ministers to examine why Cyprus did not claim a similar request.
Invited to comment on the statements of STEK Chairman, Phedias Karris, that buyers usually rent their villages to visitors, Mr. Lillikas said that the benefits from the sale of villas are very important for the Republic and it is very difficult to control the phenomenon. The sharp increase in the purchase of villas by foreigners is mostly attributable to the Cyprus’ accession in the EU.
Responding on the questions made by the members of the two House Committees, the Minister said that the government will submit a bill for the opening of a casino in Cyprus in early 2005 and will prepare studies that will include regulations and conditions on the number of casinos that will operate on the island.
With regard to the movement of tourists from the free areas to the occupied territories, Mr. Lillikas said that the number of tourists visiting the T/C areas is small, but refused to proceed to further details. As for the CTO’s campaign on Cyprus, Mr. Lillikas admitted that there were significant problems in its promotion and announced that campaigns will be assigned to bidders.
Malta
As regards to the issue of visas to Russian tourists, AKEL MP, Stavros Evagorou reveled recently that Malta was granted an exception by the EU, so that the issue of Russian visas is carried out at the airport on the arrival of the Russian tourists. On the other hand, Cyprus did not claim a similar request during the accession negotiations.
Mr. Evagorou also said that tourist arrivals are expected to be lower for this year (-15 thousand), while revenues will show losses of £7-8 million.
The MP demanded that the issue will be set before the Council of Ministers to examine why Cyprus did not claim a similar request.
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