Thousands of Christmas shoppers descended on Paphos Mall on Thursday, keen to get their shopping done on the last day open before malls close in line with the latest government decree – one of a series of measures in force from December 11 to December 31 aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

Social media was flooded by photographs of long queues forming inside the mall, amid some complaints of overcrowding in some areas and a lack of social distancing.

However, the manager of the facility assured the Cyprus Mail that all the necessary protocols are being followed.

“The mall is very busy, and we are at our limit which is 3,000 people, within the government’s rules. Mostly we are seeing queues as families rush to buy presents for their kids. This is the main reason that people are complaining about a lot of people in a small space, but the area the queue is in is spacious, and the rules are being followed,” he said at around midday on Thursday.

Security staff are also on hand asking customers to follow instructions and keep a specific distance, he added.

One mother explained that she was due to do all of her Christmas shopping for her family this Saturday and was horrified when the closure of the mall was announced.

“Presents for the rest of the family can wait until January, the main thing is that we can be together, but my daughter has had a difficult year and had her heart set on a doll, so I was determined to get it for her. I queued outside and then inside. It all took about three hours. But I got it for her,” she said.

Many shoppers in the store were pushing around trolleys full of toys, sweets and other items and leaving laden down with a large number of bags, she said.

“People are desperate to buy their Christmas presents as many usually leave it until the week before Christmas, or a couple of days before. There are long queues. We are really busy too,” one of the store managers told the Cyprus Mail.

In her store, staff are ensuring only a few shoppers enter at a time and are spaced out inside. Although the manager understands that there is a virus and that measures are needed, she said times are hard for shops, especially those that have season specific stock.

Although her store has branches in all towns outside the island malls, some staff will not be needed and will have to go home until shops re-open.

“I really feel for them and also, we will be able to transfer some of our stock to other shops, although we had lots of Christmas stock that we expected to sell. It’s hard to sell them.”

If malls are permitted to re-open in January, many goods will have to be discounted, in order to drive sales, she said.

Paphos municipality said on Tuesday that major renovation and rejuvenation works have begun in Mouttalos and an old refugee resettlement neighbourhood.

The areas had fallen into a dismal state and sorely require upgrading, Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos said as he oversaw heavy construction vehicles clear tonnes of rubbish and debris.

Abandoned warehouses and other old buildings were knocked down to make way for the planned parks, playgrounds, parking spots and neighbourhood squares.

The majority of the work took place near Ayios Demetrios church, which as the mayor said has been neglected for decades.

“We owe it to the inhabitants of the refugee area which has been neglected for decades to improve their quality of life,” he said.

The head of the Paphos regional board of tourism has been elected as the President of the European Cultural Tourism Network -(ECTN) which is based in Brussels.

The entity is the only pan-European network of destinations, authorities, NGOs and research institutes for sustainable Cultural Tourism development and promotion across Europe.

“I am very proud and honoured to be elected for the next two years (2021-2022) as the president of the ECTN. the only pan European network on sustainable cultural tourism. We will work hard, together with the board members to enlarge the network and establish even more ECTN’s across Europe, and of course focus on our mission to exchange experience and information on best practice and to develop new approaches and innovations,” Nasos Hadjigeorgiou told the Cyprus Mail on Friday.

ECTN aims to achieve a high level of collaboration between members in the area of cultural tourism and to establish a close cooperation with the institutions of the European Union and other international organisations, networks and public institutions worldwide.

The Paphos tourism board has been an active member of ECTN since 2012 and has held the position of vice president since 2016.

The network is the only pan-European in this field and consists of more than 25 renowned institutions and universities from countries such as Germany, Sweden, Spain, UK, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, Croatia, Serbia and more.

Following the General Assembly of the members of the network, which took place online on December 16, a new board of directors for 2021-2022 was drawn up.

Hadjigeorgiou as President, and representing the Paphos tourism board, is joined by Vice President, Simina Manea-Sibiu of the County Tourism Association-Romania and the Treasurer / Secretary, is Manos Vougioukas, of the Argonautica network,Greece.

Other members include representatives from, Latvia, Spain, Germany, Portugal and Croatia.

The network’s main aim is to bring together professionals and partners of tourism and culture from different parts of Europe, to exchange experiences and information on best practices in order to develop new approaches and innovations.

The successes of the network for the last three years include: participation in cross-border programmes such as Interreg, with the projects CHRISTA (Cultural tourism) CULTRinG (cultural routes), Erasmus Foodbiz (gastronomic tourism), Cult-CreTE (creative tourism).

The most important conference in 2018 was held in Paphos with the participation of EU DG Culture, committee of the regions, Europa Nostra, European Travel Commission, Iter Vitis and Phoenicians Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

Other successes include the International Awards’ Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism and their upgrade in recent years. From 2018 the awards have been held in collaboration with the Europa Nostra and European Travel Commission.

In 2019 and 2020 there was also collaboration with Iter Vitis cultural route of the Council of Europe for wine tourism.

The network also participated in the European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018, selected by the EU. The ECTN was among 30 selected European networks from 310 applications, and the only one related to tourism.

It also participated in events for cultural tourism issues in the context of the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels in the years 2018, 2019, 2020.

www.culturaltourism-network.eu

A permanent resident of Paphos, who wishes to remain anonymous, has donated €10,000 to the municipality to help those in need in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the authority announced on Monday.

“A European resident has contributed to the municipality of Paphos the sum of €10,000 in the form of gift boxes, in order to help those that are having problems to survive in these difficult times due to the pandemic,” a spokesman said.

The resident contacted the mayor, Phedonas Paedonos, to convey his intention and asked that his name not be used publicly.

“The mayor warmly congratulated our fellow citizen on his latest gesture which he said is an act of practical solidarity and genuine altruism, and also an additional proof of his sincere love for Paphos and its inhabitants.”

The resident also donated a similar amount in gift bags last Easter.

A landlord’s worst nightmare came true on Wednesday when the tenants left the apartment without paying the rent, after first clearing it of €1,800 worth of household furnishings and appliances.

According to a complaint filed with police, the couple renting the Paphos flat, took with them all of the furnishings provided, namely the television, fridge, washing machine, beds, tables, chairs and even the curtains.

The police are seeking the pair, who are 49 and 62 years old.

It’s impossible to write anything about this year, without the Covid 19 pandemic as a backdrop.

The deadly virus created a tsunami of devastation for so many, wrecking lives, jobs and the economy and tearing families apart. Many lost loved ones with the added suffering of not being able to say their goodbyes.

Airports closed, flights were suspended, hotels struggled, people lost jobs, hospitals grappled with increased numbers of patients and operations were cancelled. But, then a glimmer of hope emerged.

As with other towns in Cyprus, Paphos suffered badly, and more than some, as it’s reliant on tourism which was all but non-existent this year. In addition, many of the residents are from overseas – some are elderly – with no family to support or to help them.

Paphos showed an amazing outpouring of love and care for each other and a community spirit to celebrate. People came together to try to alleviate some of the negative impact the virus on others.

Neighbours checked in with one another, some did shopping for others that are in ‘high risk’ groups, errands were run, banking undertaken, meals were cooked and a general feeling of hope and kindness started to take root. And like the virus, it spread, bringing with it a real sense of how a community should support each other.

Volunteers signed up to new Facebook groups, food was donated, collected and distributed, and although similar actions happened all over the island, Paphos showed itself to be a hub of hope.

In Peyia in Paphos, one businessman who was forced to shut his restaurant during the first lockdown, decided to roll up his sleeves and do what he could to feed those in need in the district.

Tony Theo, owner of Chalkies Bar in Coral Bay in Peyia which recently closed again due Covid restrictions, along with a group of volunteers, began helping hundreds of families in the Paphos district. As the pandemic swept Cyprus and a first lockdown was ordered in March, many people lost their jobs, he decided to step in.

To date, the group have managed to serve and deliver in excess of 12,000 hot, free meals to those that need it, and all from their own pockets and from donations.

The volunteers had been hoping to cook Christmas lunch for those in need, but due to recent measures were unable to and so delivered Christmas parcels with ingredients for people to cook at home, and all while his own business remained closed.

For those that had no way to cook, the volunteers cooked and delivered Christmas lunch on Christmas Day.

“I just felt that I couldn’t abandon these people as they are still struggling,” he said.

He also started a ‘pay it forward’ scheme which saw members of the public buy vouchers for participating venues which could be redeemed by those in need for a hot meal.

Local Radio Station Rock FM ran a regular feature where listeners could thank those that were helping them during the lockdown and a stream of requests poured in, highlighting how many hundreds of people were doing things for others.

Shopping, dog walking, medicine collection, talking on the telephone and video calling to combat loneliness, cooking, laundry, general errands and school runs were all on the ‘ A Great Big Thank You’ list.

One such thank you was for Paphos resident, Elaine, who was volunteering to help those that needed assistance in the Paphos district. She was put forward by a woman named Jules who had to isolate due to medical reasons.

“Elaine shops for me every week and also goes to the pharmacy for me. Without her I don’t know what I’d do and I’m so grateful,” Jules said.

A spokesman for the radio station said: “It really was a wonderful to see how Paphos came together, and it was so uplifting and touching in such difficult times.”

And, ahead of Christmas, an anonymous permanent resident of Paphos donated the sum of €10,000 to the municipality in the form of gift boxes. These were distributed by the local authority to help residents in Paphos that have been hard hit by the pandemic.

The same philanthropist donated a similar amount in gift bags last Easter.

The mayor of Paphos is continuing his quest to change the ‘face’ of Paphos, with all sorts of upgrading works taking place across the town.

Posting on social media, Phedonas Phedonos, announced that a contract to renovate another ‘hani’ in Paphos old town is proceeding with the complete renovation and reuse of “Chania tis Agora”, on Fellachoglou Street, he said.

Phedonos signed an agreement with the contractor Agagrand Construction Ltd for the execution of the project, with a total cost of €161,500 within a three-month timeframe.

“After the impressive renovation of the Hani of Ibrahim and the rest of the works executed in the area, the new project of the renovation and reuse of the Hani Agora will contribute even more to highlighting and beautifying the historic shopping centre of Paphos, while giving further incentive for commercial traffic in the area,” he said.

“Hani Agora,” is one of the four inns that operated in Paphos around 150 years ago to serve travellers who spent the night in the town on their way to the other districts.

The aim of the municipality of Paphos is to proceed with the renovation of another hani, located next to Thermopylon Street, he added. This will begin soon, he said.

Also underway, according to Phedonos, is the upgrading of a parking area in the centre of the old town and the creation of a new large square and playgound next to a central church.

“We will highlight Paphos as the most beautiful city centre. We are creating a new large square and a playground with lots of playground equipment. Paphos is changing,” he concluded with his popular catchphrase.

In addition, the municipality proceeded with asphalt and paving works over the weekend.

The mayor said that the municipality has a plan for resurfacing all Paphos so that they are in a good condition with a team of technicians currently making relevant assessments.

He acknowledged that many of the town’s roads are facing problems due to potholes and poor road surfaces. Not all roads can be resurfaced at this stage and priority will be given to those that have the biggest issues.

The mayor also posted photographs of public and private dumps, including old furniture and machinery, that has been stored or dumped and is now being cleared by the municipality to help to create a better environment and a cleaner ‘face’ for the town.

“There is also this in Paphos,” he said alongside photographs of the piles of rubbish. “But we will do this all in collaboration with the people of the city and we work together. Paphos is changing!”

Police on Wednesday said they were investigating a spate of burglaries of businesses in Paphos.

Two of the businesses, a silverware shop and a photography studio, are on the same street, Makarios street.

The silverware shop owner reported that someone had broken into his shop sometime between January 9 and 12 and stole rings, chains, bracelets, and other items worth around €15,000.

Police found that the perpetrators entered the shop through the main entrance after picking the lock. The stolen items were not insured.

Another business owner on the same street, reported that a number of cameras, including vintage ones, were stolen from his photography studio. The stolen items were estimated at €10,000 in total.

It is believed the perpetrators entered the shop through the back door which was possibly left unlocked as no signs of break-in were found. In this case too, the stolen items were not insured.

Police are also investigating a break in and theft of tools from a carpentry shop on Nikokleous street, also in Paphos. The tools were estimated at around €4,000.

A man suspected of stealing a large amount of jewellery from at least one jeweller was injured when residents chased him in the streets of Paphos on Thursday.

He was arrested and is under guard at Paphos hospital.

Around noon on Thursday, police were informed a person in possession of a large amount of jewellery and watches was trying to sell the items in the centre of Paphos.

Residents chased the suspect and managed to catch him before the arrival of police. Police officers who rushed to the scene found the 29-year-old had a bag with jewellery with him, and a second bag containing burglary tools, gloves, a knife and €290.

He was arrested as he did not explain how the items came to be in his possession and was then taken to the hospital because he had suffered injures to his face while he was being chased.

Investigations revealed some of the jewellery had been stolen from a jeweller in Paphos, a theft reported by the owner on January 12.

He told police the theft took place between January 9 and 12 and said rings, chains, bracelets and pendants worth €15,000 in total had been stolen.

The owner of the shop identified some of the objects found on Thursday while police are in the process of trying to find out where the others came from.

Apart from jewellery, items from a souvenir shop were in the confiscated bag.

Persons who were robbed recently will be asked to inspect and identify any items stolen from them.

According to police, this is not the first time the 29-year-old is in trouble with the law.

Burglars broke into a bakery on Anexartisias street in Paphos and made off with €1200, police said on Friday.

The incident was reported to the police at 5am by the 49-year-old bakery owner who said the break-in took place either late on Thursday or early on Friday.

The money, in banknotes and coins of different denominations, was taken from the cash register.

Police arrived at the scene and collected evidence. They are also scouring through the CCTV footage.

The bakery did not have an alarm system.

Italian graffiti artist Millo is expected to return to Cyprus in July to decorate more Paphos’ buildings after a piece of his street art was recently painted over, the municipality announced on Friday.

Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos invited the famous graffiti artist to Paphos during a conference call with him on Friday.

“Millo gladly accepted the mayor’s invitation and said that the most appropriate date for him is next July,” the municipality said in a written statement.

Phedonos expressed his regret to the artist about the “unfortunate incident” involving the painting over of a popular mural, the statement added.

The municipality said Millo “showed understanding and said that such unfortunate incidents can occur in the art of graffiti,” but added that the artist should be informed beforehand.

The mural was part of the town’s Capital of Culture 2017 events and its destruction created a huge uproar on social media this week.

According to the municipality, the artwork was painted on a privately owned building and the owners decided to renovate it.

Millo, born Francesco Camillo Giorgino, is a world-renowned street artist with his work exhibited in Los Angeles, Chicago, Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Milan, Rome, Florence among others.

Investigations into a case of burglary at three different shops in Paphos are at an advanced stage after the arrest of a 29-year-old suspect, according to Paphos police spokesman Michalis Ioannou.

He said they are currently on the lookout for an accomplice of the 29-year-old, who is accused of stealing several items worth around €20,000 from a jewellery shop, a carpentry store and a souvenir shop.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on Monday, Ioannou urged anyone who might have more information or suspicions regarding the burglaries to contact the police immediately.

The suspect was arrested on January 14 following a tip-off from a Paphos resident. He was found in possession of several stolen items, which were later identified as coming from burglaries carried out at the three shops in the centre of Paphos.

Under questioning, the suspect admitted stealing the items from the jewellery shop on January 12 and from the souvenir shop the following day.

Furthermore, he was also found to be in possession of other items reported missing from a carpentry store, worth €4,000.

The Paphos district court issued an eight-day remand for illegal possession of property and possession of burglary tools.

An existing Paphos hotel on the seafront of the town is earmarked for demolition with three nine-storey buildings due to take its place, the local green party announced on Monday.

An announcement in a newspaper three days ago stated that anyone requesting information or wishing to submit proposals should do so within seven days.

“This is the first step towards creating a ’concrete wall’ on the coastal front of Paphos. We only found this out due to information in the press. Three, nine-storey buildings will just be the beginning, this is very sad and as Green’s we believe everyone should have a chance to view an opinion, but this is a negative move, it will be the first, then another and another,” Andreas Evlavis said, speaking to the Cyprus Mail on Monday.

He stressed that a wall of concrete will spring up in the wake of the three nine-storey buildings, that will be built in the place of Asimina Suites, as other similar buildings are sure to follow.

“The supposed advantage that Paphos had over the other tourist destinations is lost. The citizens of Paphos will also see the beach with binoculars,” he said.

“What is certain is that in a few years, everyone will be wondering where all of the authorities and bodies were, and what politicians, scientists, Etek and the architects were all doing as this was happening,” he said.

However, supporters of these buildings, such as a number of Paphos architects, suggest that predictions from the World Health Organisation suggest that 70 per cent of the world’s population will be living in cities by 2050, so it makes sense to build vertically, freeing up land for agriculture and greenery.

“Imagine suddenly you realise that in front of you a nine floor building is going up and no-one did anything about it, how would you feel?” said Evlavis.

Proposals and comments should be made to the mayor of Geroskipou, or to the developers Constantinou Bros, he said.

Following a request by the Armenian and Greek Pontian communities of Paphos, the municipal council has renamed Talaat Pasha street, which recognises the man widely regarded as the principal architect of the Armenian genocide.

“Talaat Pasha street has been renamed as Justice Street. Those who planned and executed genocide have no place in odonyms,” a municipality spokesman told the Cyprus Mail on Tuesday. The street signs are expected to be changed soon.

The municipal council of Paphos is reaffirming its respect for the place names of Paphos in the light of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by dozens of countries around the world, as well as the international academic community, and also the discussion about the genocide of the Greeks of Pontus, the municipality said.

Mehmed Talaat, commonly known as Talaat Pasha, was one of the Three Pashas that de facto ruled the Ottoman Empire during WWI.

He ruled the empire during the Armenian Genocide, which he initiated as Minister of Interior Affairs in 1915.

Acting as the minister of interior, in 1915 Pasha ordered the arrest and deportation of Armenian intellectuals in Constantinople, most of whom were subsequently murdered, and also requested the Tehcir Law (Temporary Deportation Law). These events initiated the Armenian Genocide.

He is widely considered the main perpetrator of the genocide, and thus is held responsible for the death of around one million Armenians.

“Through the study of historical facts, the leading role of Talaat Pasha in the planning and execution of these genocides is documented. The council, aware of the weight of its responsibility towards the present and future generations, unanimously decided to remove the name of Talaat Pasha from the street of the city and by a majority decided to rename the street Justice Street, wanting to send a strong message to the local community and the international community that people who committed genocide have no place in the bright pages of history,” the municipality said.

A brand-new venture in Paphos, a not-for-profit kitchen, is offering a way for supporters to enjoy authentic Italian dishes and support those in need at the same time.

Robin’s Kitchen is the idea of Italian, Robin Palma. Originally from Bologna, he moved to Paphos just over a month ago to start a new life.

“I am hoping people will understand the concept of what I am trying to achieve. Robin’s kitchen is a non-profit kitchen with a unique selling proposition, for every meal you buy, we donate one to people in need.”

Palma has big ideas for his venture and is hoping to inspire other people to do the same.

“Imagine every commercial kitchen in your town or city donating a meal for every sale they make, no one would ever go hungry.”

The vision is to start this concept off in Cyprus.

”You might think I am dreamer but a well-run kitchen can produce an extra meal for every sale and still manage to cover all the associated costs, as long as the owners don’t keep the profit for themselves,” he said.

“I could ask the customers to pay for an extra meal to donate and double my profit, but that is not charitable in my view. If you run a catering business and want to help others, you should renounce your profit and really put people first by donating at cost price,” he said.

Palma decided that he had reached a point in his life where he should do something different and more meaningful, and his 22-year-old son decided to accompany him on the adventure at the last minute and is also volunteering.

The philanthropist previously worked in catering and as a successful restaurant manager in the UK. Fed up with the British climate, he was looking for somewhere in Europe to start his new idea. Although he had never been to Cyprus before, he decided that Paphos would be the perfect spot to start it off.

“Paphos has so many British people living here, and I am very familiar with them and the language after living in London and as I don’t speak Greek yet, this was ideal place. Cyprus also has a need for such an initiative as it is in the front line for refugees,” he said.

Currently, the kitchen is only cooking traditional Lasagna Bolognese, which Robin’s mother taught him how to make, and Tiramisu and more options will be added in the future. Free delivery covering nearby areas will be added soon too. Only take away is available during the current lockdown, he said. They have already started serving their first customers.

“It’s five euros for a lasagne and three euros for a tiramisu. Every meal that I sell, I donate one to people in need.”

He is already working alongside organised bodies that work in Paphos for those in need and disadvantaged of all races and faiths.

None of the volunteers at Robin’s Kitchen take a salary and Palma believes the current set up could see them easily turn out 50 meals per day.

The kitchen operates out of a five-bedroom house that he’s rented and two chefs are already in situ.

“They don’t get paid, but I provide a bed and food. There is a queue of chefs that want to come from the UK already. They want to come here, as it’s an opportunity to discover Cyprus and also to help others at the same time,” he said.

Every volunteer works part time, so that they have time to do other jobs to support themselves. Robin, also a talented artist, is living off his small amount of savings and selling his art work.

“There are a lot of things I can do to bring money in and so not to take a salary from this initiative, and I never will. It will always be not for profit,” he said.

They have already received some generous donations from supporters.

He aims to open other Robin’s Kitchens around Cyprus and eventually in other countries.

“I believe that this concept can really catch on. You can order one and someone in need will get to eat that too, what a great feeling that is.”

Robin’s Kitchen: Paphos 26001700 or

www.facebook.com/robinkitchenpaphos

A 25-year-old Paphos man was fined €2,000 after he failed to stop for a check by the Game Service, it was reported on Saturday.

The man was driving a car and had been flagged down by game wardens on patrol in Ezousa on Friday.

The man accelerated and fled the area, but wardens managed to take down his licence plate number and notified the police.

He was located and taken to Paphos police station where he claimed he had sped off because he got scared.

The man was fined €2,000, which he paid.

The Paphos regional board of tourism supports the ministry of tourism plan to upgrade the local tourism product in communities, it announced on Friday.

“We welcome the initiative of the deputy minister of tourism for the preparation of this plan for the communities,” it said.

The council of ministers this week approved a plan by the deputy ministry of tourism aimed at boosting rural and mountain tourism.

The aim is to create a better product for visitors and increase the number of tourists in areas not usually associated with Cyprus, which is normally sun and sea. Communities can submit their requests for upgrades that will be subsidised by the government until March 31.

The implementation of such actions in the communities will help to upgrade the local infrastructure and the experiences for visitors and consequently increase traffic from locals and foreigners, the Paphos tourism board noted.

“There is an immediate need to address the main chronic problems such as abandonment and decline of the countryside, through a holistic and structured policy, and this is where everyone’s efforts should be focused.”

Creating conditions for dealing with urbanisation and the return of young people to the countryside is a key condition for achieving success, the board added.

New and basic existing infrastructure must be created and upgraded urgently the board said, adding a number of suggestions.

“Modern roads and transport networks, schools, hospitals, services and generous incentives must be provided, and investment in the countryside must be encouraged and supported. Concerning housing and staying in the villages, immediate short-term effective interventions must be made, which will provide a perspective for sustainable development.”

The Paphos tourism board call on the state to take the initiative and with the support of all to achieve in the coming years, the coveted development and revitalisation of the countryside, it added.

“This must be done always using a strategy that will ensure the viability of the rural development plan which must be prepared without further delay,” they concluded.

Paphos has won another European award, the local tourism board has announced.

The Paphos Regional Board of Tourism has been awarded, ‘Best Strategy in Creative Tourism Development 2020’, by the creative tourism network.

“The international network based in Barcelona, within the framework of the annual international awards for 2020, announced Paphos as the Best Strategy in Creative Tourism Development,” the Paphos tourism board said.

The distinction came after the evaluation of a proposal prepared and submitted in November 2020, said the head of the Paphos tourism board, Nasos Hadjigeorgiou said.

“Paphos was among dozens of other prestigious destinations and was distinguished as Best Strategy in Creative Tourism Development 2020. This means that Paphos is the best destination (for 2020) in terms of the strategy it follows to offer visitors the opportunity for creative experiences with their active participation in experiences related to local community, tradition and culture,” he said.

According to the announcement, in the proposal submitted, special reference was made to the Old Town of Paphos (Paphos centre) which is in the process of being transformed into a central point that offers various experiences that the visitor can participate in and be creative.

This includes traditional professions, such as , arts and crafts, wine, gastronomy and traditions, cultural and other events, and there in much room for further development and improvement, the tourism head said.

“In recent years, various studies have shown that visitors no longer wants to be considered a “tourist” but want to feel involved in the daily life of the locals and experience the destination. Today, visitors are no longer content with just a traditional sightseeing tour,” Hadjigeorgiou said.

Instead, they are seeking to participate in the experience.

“This is the new way of discovering a foreign culture and destination in general and it’s growing every year.”

The Creative Tourism website (CTN) notes that creative tourism is considered a new generation of tourism that involves the tourists and locals in the creation of the tourist product (co-creation).

It is tourism which offers visitors the opportunity to develop their creative potential through active participation in courses and learning experiences, which are characteristic of the holiday destination where they are.

The CTN was founded in 2010 as a non-profit organisation to promote destinations of all kinds that promote creative tourism as a differential element to attract new generations of travellers.

Such destinations include rural areas, islands, medium cities and metropolis from around the world, that benefit from the CTN’s assessment and promotion.

Paphos has moved forward with plans to transform the town into a smart, digital city by signing a contract for the development of a Geographic Information System (GIS).

Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos signed a 329,100 euros contract with the CEO of Cyta, Andreas Neokleous, on Tuesday for developing and maintaining GIS in the municipality.

The contract terms include 10 months for developing the system and four years of maintenance.

A geographic information system is a framework utilised for gathering, managing and analysing data.

Phedonos said that GIS is an ‘integral and important’ part of Paphos’ move to enter the smart and digital age, adding that this system provides the ability to capture the city, since all will be accurately recorded.

“All public utility networks will be mapped and for the municipality of Paphos, acting as an urban planning authority, it is important to know in ‘real time’ what is in the city, in order to make the right decisions and channel its resources properly, either in human or economic terms,” he said.

In addition, the municipality will now be able to receive information which will be immediately useful, since the system will be able to connect with the portals of other government services, such as the land registry, he said.

The mayor added that entering into the digital age will allow Paphos to become more democratic, as technology will enable the municipality to obtain information about the will of the majority concerning important issues and not to impose, as often happens, the will of a ‘shouting minority’.

February will be an important month for the municipality in this area as several other contracts will soon be signed toward creating the infrastructure of a smart city, he said.

Cyta is one of the main partners of the municipality in this quest, Phedonos added, noting that the telecommunications authority is now characterised by ‘high professionalism and immediate response.’

Neokleous described Paphos municipality as a shining example to be imitated for the whole country and expressed his pleasure that Cyta is partnering the municipality on its journey to the new technological era.

“The whole of Cyprus must embark on this journey, which is a one-way street for the development of our economy. The goal is for Cyprus to become a technology centre for the entire region and the municipality of Paphos is showing everyone the way,” he said.

GIS uses the science of geography and integrates different types of data, analyses spatial location and organises layers of information into visualisations using maps and 3D.

It reveals insights into data and patterns, relationships and situations and also helps users make smarter decisions.

GIS is not to be confused with the widely used Global Positioning System (GPS) that provides users with positioning, navigation, and timing services.

Paphos municipality said on Friday it has removed 300 20-tonne trucks of construction and other waste from various areas in the town in recent days as part of a cleaning campaign.

The local authority said over 700 more trucks of waste will be removed.

After Mouttalos and Exo Vrysi, on Thursday, crews started work in the wholesale market area where tonnes of construction waste and other material had been dumped.

Through the effort, the municipality seeks to convey the message that the town must remain clean. Fines have been issued to people caught fly tipping, it said.