Filenews 10 May 2023
It is obvious that the interests of Hermes Airports Ltd coincide with the company that manages the casino by the Audit Office (EY), which, in a statement, states that the Marketing Director of Hermes Airports cannot supervise a company with which they have common interests.
Specifically, in relation to yesterday's decision of the Incompatibility Investigation Committee published in the media, EY notes the following:
(a) According to subsection 7(4) of the Casino Operation and Control Law (124(I)/2015), a person who is professionally engaged in businesses related to the activities of the casino resort cannot be appointed as a member of the National Gaming and Casino Supervision Authority.
(b) According to subsection 7(5) of the same Law, each appointment requires the prior obtaining of the written consent of the House Standing Committee on Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism.
(c) On 2 May 2023, the above Parliamentary Committee rejected the appointment of the Marketing Director of Hermes Airports Ltd which had been recommended by the Council of Ministers.
(d) According to statements by the former Deputy Minister of Tourism on 13.5.2021 in relation to the casino, "the completion of the project will be a reference point for the tourism industry of Cyprus, as it will create a year-round destination and enrich our tourism product, while it is expected that it will attract 300,000 additional tourists annually." Also, on 30.1.2023 the former President of the Republic "The creation of a multi-thematic resort was one of the government's goals, as we knew that its creation would contribute to the enrichment of our tourism product, the increase of tourist arrivals and the creation of new jobs, with obvious benefits for the Cypriot economy. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the casino inaugurates a new era for our country, opening new prospects that strengthen its position on the international tourism map."
(e) We consider it obvious that the interests of Hermes Airports Ltd coincide with the company that manages the casino. Therefore, in our view, airport management, especially in a country where airports are essentially the only gateway for tourists, is relevant to casino activities. This is not a legal issue but a real one, and as such we call on the competent parliamentary committee to approach it. Our recommendation is that the Decision of the Incompatibility Committee does not differentiate the facts.
(f) We stress, even if for the sake of completeness, that we do not consider the identification of the interests of the two companies to be negative at all. On the contrary, it is very positive and will be beneficial for the country if they can indeed attract new passengers and tourists. However, in our view, the Marketing Director of Hermes Airports cannot supervise a company with which they have common interests and with which they are expected to draw up joint marketing plans to attract tourists.
