By Charles EllinasJune 3 was World Bicycle Day, but in Cyprus, it went completely unnoticed. And for a good reason. Cypriots mostly use cars to go anywhere, even to shops down the road. In 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day to spread awareness about the benefits of cycling, … Read more
Natalia Lappa from the Limassol Nautical Club has qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Women’s Windsurfing (iQFOiL) after a redistribution of spots. This will be her second consecutive Olympic appearance, with the Cyprus Olympic team now comprising eight athletes in various sports. The spot became available after a Swiss sailor withdrew, and Lappa finished 10th in the ‘Last Chance Regatta’ to secure her place. She is ranked 44th in the World Sailing Olympic rankings and is set to compete against 24 athletes from different countries in the women’s iQFOiL event.
The lack of political will for a substantial revision of the sustainable development plan for the Akamas is putting the region in danger, according to the Federation of Environmental Organisations (Opok). They are not satisfied with the government’s intentions and are calling for a correction of mistakes made to avoid unfavorable results for the environment, communities, visitors, and nature lovers. Opok also calls for a ban on hunting in the park and the encouragement of sustainable development in surrounding communities.
The Environmental Impact Assessment for Cyprus’ National Strategic Land Transport Plan is open for public consultation until June 14, 2024. The plan aims to increase public transport usage to 17% and reduce car usage by 14%. The primary objective is to identify potential environmental impacts and propose measures to prevent or offset them. The plan includes increasing electric vehicle and hydrogen stations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as improving public transport with dedicated lanes and increased service frequencies. Measures like urban tolls and low-emission zones are proposed to discourage car use and reduce air pollution. The plan also includes incentives for sustainable transport modes and creating new job opportunities.
The Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society has been organizing the ‘Christodoula March’ for 49 years, named after a cancer patient named Christodoula. The march symbolizes social solidarity and moral encouragement in the ongoing battle against cancer and serves as the primary funding source for the society.
A 28-year-old defendant was sentenced to 18 months in prison for causing the death of well-known athlete and cyclist Nektarios Pettemerides in a fatal accident. The defendant was driving at a speed of 75-80 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, crossed into the opposite lane, and hit three cyclists, resulting in Pettemerides’ death. The trial lasted two years, with the defendant changing his plea from denial to admission. Thirteen witnesses testified during the hearing, and the severity of the offense and the defendant’s driving behavior were taken into account in the sentencing.
The Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society and Bank of Cyprus are co-organizing the Christodoula March for the 49th consecutive year to raise awareness on cancer-related matters. The march will take place in Limassol on April 7, 2024, and in other districts on April 14, 2024.
The Famagusta Tourism Board (Etap) and local businesspeople attended the “ITB BERLIN 2024” international tourism exhibition last week to promote tourism bookings in Germany. Giorgos Kafkalias, an official from Etap, highlighted the significance of the German market for Cyprus tourism, noting it as the largest in Europe with potential for growth. Despite economic challenges in Germany, there was a moderate optimism for maintaining tourist levels, possibly with a slight decrease. German travel agents showed interest in various forms of tourism including hiking, cycling, diving, gastronomy, and agritourism, besides beach tourism. Etap emphasized the Famagusta district’s attractions, suitable for families, young couples, and visitors over 55. The district is renowned for its clean beaches, which have received international awards, and offers diverse experiences throughout the year. A mobile app providing a virtual tour of Famagusta’s points of interest was also promoted. Etap plans to participate in major international tourism exhibitions to promote the district and support Cyprus’s tourism promotion efforts.