Filenews 7 August 2022 - by Dora Christodoulou
An "other" Peyia will be seen from this summer by locals and thousands of visitors. After more than two years of stagnation, the engines got moving for good in the municipality with the largest area of land nationwide. The occupancy rates of its hotel and tourist units exceeded 90%, while the projects under execution and planning are valued at many millions of euros.
The mayor of Peyia, Marinos Lambrou, stressed that the first and important bet that had to be won in the summer of 2022 was the restart of the "heavy industry" of tourism. The goal, he observes with satisfaction, has already been achieved with the above: "The occupancy of the six hotel units operating within our municipal boundaries is currently 90%, creating a climate of particular optimism for the restoration of good days in tourism on a permanent basis. The general tourist traffic in the area is close to 80% of the corresponding one recorded before the beginning of the pandemic".
According to Mr. Lambrou, the data that prevail on the trademark beach of Peyia, Coral Bay, are particularly positive. The popular beach, he stressed, hosts thousands of people, resulting in the beneficial consequences being enjoyed at the same time by other companies in the service sector in the wider region. "Although the loss of Russian tourists is significant," stressed the mayor of Peyia, "the dynamics of the British market are creating a very positive climate in the region this year. The prospects become even more promising during this period, since significant domestic tourism is expected in our region".
The glamour that traditionally surrounded Coral Bay, as the best beach in the Pafos district, has now returned for good. Coral Bay is also at the highest level of quality this summer, both in terms of water and beach quality, as well as in terms of services, with the result that the revenue for the municipal authority is considered certain to return to pre-pandemic levels.
The very satisfactory situation, marinos Lambrou points out, is made even better by the fact that he now manages, through his employees, the largest part of the beach in relation to the beds and umbrellas. "This fact," he stressed, "contributed to us being able to keep all our staff employed, avoiding layoffs or voluntary exits as in other municipalities. The revenues from Coral Bay do amount to a very satisfactory number, constituting a huge economic breath for Peyia in the difficult conditions that the country is going through and the same, I am sure, will happen this year. Marinos Lambrou estimated that similarly positive data in the tourism industry will prevail in the autumn season.
The climate of satisfaction and optimism that has returned to Peyia during this period, has not only to do with the "high flights" of the tourism industry. The entire mayoral area has already begun to undergo a large-scale and costly "facelift", which will give it an air of modernization and functionality that has been lacking all these years.
In this new setting, two major projects are the crowning glory of the actions of the municipal authority: the new central avenue of the municipality and the coastal pedestrian street of 14 kilometres that will end up to Kissonerga.
Already, in April, the mayor of Peyia signed the contract for the improvement and reconstruction of Michalaki Avenue Kyprianou, with the contractor company. Mr. Lambrou emphasizes to "F" that the total amount of the contract amounts to about four million euros and the execution time of the project is 18 months.
"The improvement of the Avenue was one of the main priorities, both for me personally and the City Council, and after persistent efforts of five years, determination and strong performances to all the competent authorities and services, it was possible to promote and implement it," he says. 'The works shall include excavations and embankments, work on the runoff of rainwater, movements and extensions of public utility networks, construction of retaining walls, construction of pavements, construction of sidewalks, construction of parking areas and implementation of road signs.'
Regrading of the coastal front
One step behind the progress of the changes in the central fabric of Peyia, is the project of upgrading its coastline. However, this also counts down, since on June 2, the signatures for the construction contract for the formation of Phase A of the coastal pedestrian street in the municipality of Peyia, the largest that will exist in Cyprus, with a total length of 14 kilometres, fell on June 2nd.
The contract was signed by the mayor of Peyia, Marinos Lambrou, and the contractor. The amount of the contract amounts to about €2.6 million and the construction works are expected to be completed in a period of 15 months. The project is co-financed by 2/3 by the Department of Town Planning and Housing and 1/3 by the municipality of Peyia.
"The construction works of the contract", emphasizes Marinos Lambrou, "include the construction of a pedestrian and bicycle path, square and seating areas, playgrounds, sports areas and the landscaping of green spaces, which will compose a single linear coastal multifunctional park. In all its areas, urban equipment and lighting are placed. In addition, within the framework of the project and between the banks of the river Xeros, a pedestrian bridge will be erected connecting it with the future Paphos Marina. The main objective of the project is the creation of a promenade, sports and recreation area along the already developed areas of the coastal front of the municipality and access to the beach for the residents and visitors of the area".
The configuration of the coastal pedestrian street is part of the Strategic Plan 2022-2024 of the Ministry of Interior for the development and revitalization of urban areas and the countryside, as well as the promotion and protection of natural and cultural heritage.
Street remake and new sports facilities
Of less financial expenditure but complementary to the total change of face in the municipality, are two other campaigns of the municipal authority that are already at an advanced stage of implementation and are expected to be completed before the end of 2022.
These are the asphalt paving of roads within the municipal boundaries of Peyia, worth another million euros and the creation of sports grounds.
Regarding the asphalt paving, Marinos Lambrou, who signed the relevant contract, amounting to one million euros, stressed that by the end of this project, most of the asphalt paving of the road network of the municipal area will have been completed, which is known to be the largest in area nationwide.
The mayor of Peyia, Marinos Lambrou, also pointed out that the construction works of the tennis court began a few months ago.
"At the end of these works," he stressed, "the sports infrastructure of the municipality is essentially completed, which includes the Municipal Football Stadium, an auxiliary football field, a basketball and volleyball court and a futsal stadium."
