Limassol mayor Nicos Nicolaides recently discussed the city's preparations for the upcoming summer tourist season, particularly with regard to cruise ship arrivals.
The Municipality of Limassol is working in collaboration with various agencies to welcome 200+ cruise ships and 300,000+ tourists expected during the summer season. A meeting was held at the municipal hall of Limassol, attended by representatives from the Deputy Ministries of Tourism and Shipping, DP World Limassol (the managing company of the city's cruise terminal), the Department of Transport, Limassol Development Company (Etal), Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Emel), and other stakeholders.
To ensure a positive experience for tourists during their short stay, an ad hoc committee has been established to process suggestions related to welcoming and providing a wide range of cultural and sporting events and activities. The aim is to make the overall package of offerings as expansive as possible and cater to the preferences of visitors.
Nicolaides emphasized that Limassol is becoming a significant cruise hub in the Mediterranean, and it is crucial for tourists to feel welcome upon arrival and fully experience all that Limassol and Cyprus have to offer during their stay. The mayor also highlighted the need for infrastructure development along the city's coastal road, from the new port to the Limassol marina, to accommodate the increasing number of cruises. Discussions will be held with relevant ministries to accelerate the reconstruction and utilization of the coastal road, along with other necessary actions that the co-competent ministries and government departments should promote.
Notably, the majority of cruise ships are expected in October and November this year. DP World Limassol, which aims to establish Limassol port as a major cruise destination in the Eastern Mediterranean, has processed a significant increase in passengers and cruise ships in 2022 compared to the previous year. The company has also recorded growth in total cargo tonnage and maritime trailer transport traffic, along with handling a higher number of vehicles compared to 2021.
According to DP World Limassol CEO Nawaf Abdulla, amid a period of uncertainty, their terminal recorded impressive figures last year, "bringing Limassol port closer to its goal of becoming a port of choice in the region.”
“By undertaking a series of targeted investments in equipment, technology and infrastructure, we improved the port’s overall performance and increased our cargo handling capacity, while attracting a number of major cruise lines.”