The Larnaca Regional Tourism Board (Etap) on Thursday said that it is continuing to intensify its efforts this year under its action plan, which focuses on ecological improvements and enhancing accessibility.
The board said that this will help strengthen Larnaca’s tourism appeal and provide an enhanced environment for both visitors and locals.
One of the key initiatives is the ongoing expansion of the board’s long-term programme, centred on enriching and greening Larnaca’s beaches.
The board said that this year, the programme saw the planting of 50 additional palm trees in the tourist area, along the coastal walkway near hotels and the beachfront sports park.
“This annual collaboration between the Voroklini municipality and Etap Larnaca is crucial for improving the image of the area’s beaches, enhancing their quality and identity,” the board said.
It added that “since the programme’s inception, over 200 palm trees and other suitable trees have been planted in the Voroklini tourist area, radically transforming its landscape”.
In another joint initiative between the Tochni community council and Etap Larnaca, three historic fountains in the heart of this agrotourism village have been restored.
These fountains, dating back to the British colonial period, had fallen into disrepair but have now been revitalised, enhancing the village’s appearance.
The reopening of two of these fountains now provides drinking water for visitors, including many cyclists, as Tochni is a popular cycling destination.
Furthermore, Etap Larnaca has also implemented various initiatives this year aimed at attracting tourists and locals to nature, including the creation of a new Beekeeping Trail in the village of Vavla, upgrades to the coastal park in Pyla, and the Rizoelia National Forest Park, as well as the establishment of a village farm in Ayios Theodoros.
The board’s statement also highlighted a new promotional campaign being actively pushed through the city and district’s hotels using an innovative method: the campaign is printed on special canvas called ‘theBreath’.
Etap said that this patented technology absorbs air pollution from cars, allergens, heating systems, and industrial emissions, breaking down harmful particles.
“The air purification process is passive, using natural airflow without additional energy sources,” the board stated.
“Therefore, it serves multiple purposes, cleaning the atmosphere in its placement area, promoting the new identity of Larnaca, and providing information about the tourist destination via a QR code, while also conveying the sustainable message we aim to promote for our destination,” it further explained.
“Despite Cyprus lagging in accessibility and facilities for people with disabilities”, Etap Larnaca continued, “the board is committed to improving accessibility at tourist sites in collaboration with Ablebook, which specialises in this field”.
Initially, an accessibility study and evaluation process will be conducted for 31 major landmarks in the city, which will be used to make recommendations to relevant departments.
In addition, in collaboration with the non-profit organisation ‘One We’ and the School for the Blind, restaurant menus in licensed 5-star and 4-star hotels in Larnaca will be adapted for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Specifically, the menus will be converted into braille, enlarged print, and audio formats, accessible through the use of a QR code. Also, an accessibility training workshop will be organised for hotels.
Elsewhere, steps are being taken to adapt the Livadia reed-binding museum to be accessible for people with visual and hearing impairments.
“These ongoing efforts, affirm the city’s commitment to a greener and more accessible tourism experience, offering a sustainable future for all,” Etap Larnaca concluded.
