Filenews 8 September 2021 - byAngelos Nikolaou
An alternative means of transport from Paphos to Latchi and Akamas National Park, by sea in less than an hour, is intended to be done by Latchi Wibit Ltd.
The company, with Savvas Hadjiminas as CEO, aims to implement the Akamas Eco Fast Ferry/ Sea Taxi project and intends to operate a sea taxi, where it will carry by catamaran boat up to 250 passengers within 55 minutes, from the port of Paphos to the port of Latchi. The aim is, through fixed routes every two hours, to transport about 1,000 visitors per day for all summer months. That is, around 150,000 to 200,000 visitors annually from Paphos to Latchi and back.
According to Mr. Chatziminas, the boat (Akamas Eco Fast Ferry) will be very safe, with luxurious seats and all facilities for passengers, with WIFI, TVs, tour guide and specialized staff for navigating and serving passengers.
The CEO of the company says that the alternative way of transporting tourists and Cypriots, from Paphos to Latchi, will greatly help the local economy, especially in the area of Latchi – Polis Chrysochou and in the villages of Akamas, while on the other hand it will help protect the environment and reduce carbon dioxide from cars and buses in the area of the Akamas Peninsula. Based on the calculations, the cost of transportation for a return ticket will be around €30 (or €15 one way).
The first stage for the implementation of the project is the conduct of an environmental impact assessment study for the use of the vessel Akamas Eco Fast Ferry. The construction of the vessel by the selected shipyard in 2022 and the start of works and itineraries in the summer of 2023 are calculated, if the epidemiological situation allows it.
