The Plenary Session of the Parliament approved on Thursday a bill that extends until December 31, 2028 the possibility of securing an operating license from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism for hotels and tourist accommodation.
The bill was approved with 25 votes in favour, one vote against and 15 abstentions.
Ten MPs of DISY, the MPs of DIKO, ELAM, DIPA and Ecologists and the independent MP, Irini Charalambidou, voted in favor of the bill. The independent MP Kostis Efstathiou voted against, while the MPs of AKEL, the MP of DISY, Kyriakos Hatzigiannis and the MP of EDEK, Marinos Sizopoulos abstained.
The Chairman of the Trade Committee, DISY MP, Kyriakos Hatzigiannis said that the extensions for unlicensed operation of the hotel industry do not solve the problem. "We had said to put an end to this philosophy with extensions, it does not help anyone and creates a comparative competitive disadvantage, with the tourism industry of Cyprus remaining unlicensed," he said.
He noted that the Commission attempted with a law proposal to create a "special regime for the legalization of hotel units". As he said, the Deputy Ministry rejected it, insisting "stubbornly" on extensions.
Besides, he noted that the Government did not ask for this legislation to be voted on as an emergency. "You can't have 850 units operating without a framework," he said, noting that it is inconceivable that no one has a sense of responsibility.
Mr. Hatzigiannis also proposed an oral amendment, in order for the deadline for the submission of documents by hotels to be extended until 31/12/2026, instead of within six months provided for in the bill, "due to the fact that the expiring date is in the middle of the tourist season, around October 30. The tourism sector is very much in charge."
In his statement, AKEL MP, Costas Costa, said that the last three times extensions were given "we said it was the last time", noting that to date not even 25% of the accommodations have been licensed. "Some do have problems, but some do nothing, because they know they will get extensions," he said.
He noted that the law on the licensing of hotels has already expired in November. "For 6 months now all hotels that do not have a license have been illegal," he said. He noted that the Trade Committee, in order to fill the gap, passed a bill with strict criteria and timetables in order to license all hotels, but the President referred it back. "Now they are putting the gun to our head, with a new extension for a minimum of two years," he said.
Independent Socialist MP Kostas Efstathiou said that it is "at least unacceptable for a state, which relies on services, not to ensure the basics of the hotel industry", the operation of licensed units, in compliance with the law.
He added that "I cannot tolerate for years everyone who does nothing to comply with the law, knowing that they will get an extension", wondering if it is the rule of law to give a new extension again today, citing the huge number of offenders. "I will vote against the proposal. Let's finally start implementing the basics," he said.
