Filenews 28 February 2025 - by Charalambos Zakos
The Carnival Events are undoubtedly a great economic "injection" for the local community. Of course, Limassol could not be absent from these events, where every year the largest carnival parade in Cyprus is organized.
Small and large businesses, hotels, restaurants and cafes of Limassol benefit from the carnivalists and visitors who flow in their thousands to the city.
Although it is not easy to estimate the exact amount that flows into the coffers of businesses or local businesses, however, it can be easily understood that the turnover of the Limassol Carnival amounts to millions of euros.
The Municipality gives half a million – Immediately gets back €70.000
Speaking to "F", the Mayor of Limassol, Yiannis Armeftis said that this year, as every year, the Municipality gives about 500,000 euros for the organization of carnival events. This amount is in the budget of the Municipality every year, he added, and concerns the organization of parades and other activities and events.
Asked about the revenues of the Municipality, Mr. Armeftis said that the direct revenues amount to €70,000 from various sponsors, noting however that the indirect revenues are much more.
As he explained, the revenues for the local economy amount to many millions of euros, since as he notes in the city there will be about 100,000 visitors, while 35,000 people are expected to parade.
Will not pay the Police fee?
The Mayor of Limassol, asked about the issuance of the invoice for the policing expenses of the big carnival parade that caused a sensation, revealed to "F" that the Municipality received an invoice from the Police for another event. Which he paid for.
As Mr. Armeftis said, the invoice related to the Children's Carnival Parade in Limassol, with the Police charge reaching €2,000.
A charge was accepted by the Municipality and the invoice was paid, since, as Mr. Armeftis noted, the parade concerned children and he wanted to ensure that it would flow smoothly.
"I won't pay the invoice – I told the Minister"
At the same time, Mr. Armeftis stresses, however, that he will not pay the invoice of €43,000 for the big carnival parade. A decision that he announced, as he adds, to the Minister of Justice.
According to Mr. Armeftis, the Minister of Justice assured him that there will be policing in order to avoid problems.
However, it is worth noting that the Mayor of Limassol stressed in his statements to "F" that this amount cannot be paid easily because it is not budgeted, noting at the same time that this confusion could be avoided if the Police informed them about this decision some time earlier.
As he said, if the police want to charge for events they can discuss it, stressing however that this decision should not have been announced to them a few days before the big carnival parade.
