Discussion
Prisoner 24601 said:
Is anyone currently in Cyprus or recently returned from a holiday? Just wondering what the situation on the ground is like with regards to hotels, restaurants, and the like. I was of the thought that it is pretty much unchanged and you wouldn't necessarily notice any difference??
We have a friend in Limassol who tells me unless you watch the news you really wouldn't have a clue whats going on. However, he is reliant on tourism and is now worried for the upcoming season expecting a lot of cancellations. To be honest we are giving it a miss this year as well.I live in Cyprus. Nothing is happening. Literally nothing. One drone hit a building and fell to the floor two weeks ago causing a small pothole. Two more random attempts were made by Hezbollah the following day and were intercepted with ease. And that s it. There is no way Iran would send missiles over Israel to Cyprus, they want to hit Israel and that s who they ll hit.
Two weeks ago three minor things happened and achieved nothing.
Being even more picky Cyprus isn t under attack. A British RAF base was targeted twice, not the whole island.
Of course facts don t matter to the U.K. press who seem to be desperate for WW3 and using Cyprus as if it s under constant aerial bombardment.
So, to reiterate, nothing is happening.
If you d like photos just ask, but here s a video of us messing about last Sunday on motorbikes on one of the main roads out of Limassol. Note the empty, blue sky
https://youtu.be/hcNbJvbwwi0?is=LQe7rMNMZzFMRbSm
Two weeks ago three minor things happened and achieved nothing.
Being even more picky Cyprus isn t under attack. A British RAF base was targeted twice, not the whole island.
Of course facts don t matter to the U.K. press who seem to be desperate for WW3 and using Cyprus as if it s under constant aerial bombardment.
So, to reiterate, nothing is happening.
If you d like photos just ask, but here s a video of us messing about last Sunday on motorbikes on one of the main roads out of Limassol. Note the empty, blue sky
https://youtu.be/hcNbJvbwwi0?is=LQe7rMNMZzFMRbSm
Edited by Opapayer on Friday 13th March 08:36
Opapayer said:
I live in Cyprus. Nothing is happening. Literally nothing. One drone hit a building and fell to the floor two weeks ago causing a small pothole. Two more random attempts were made by Hezbollah the following day and were intercepted with ease. And that s it. There is no way Iran would send missiles over Israel to Cyprus, they want to hit Israel and that s who they ll hit.
Two weeks ago three minor things happened and achieved nothing.
Being even more picky Cyprus isn t under attack. A British RAF base was targeted twice, not the whole island.
Of course facts don t matter to the U.K. press who seem to be desperate for WW3 and using Cyprus as if it s under constant aerial bombardment.
So, to reiterate, nothing is happening.
If you d like photos just ask, but here s a video of us messing about last Sunday on motorbikes on one of the min roads out of Limassol. Not the empty, blue sky
https://youtu.be/hcNbJvbwwi0?is=LQe7rMNMZzFMRbSm
Thank you for responding. Knowing how the world works now and how 'mainstream media' operates, this was my strong suspicion, however, it's good that you have validated it. A similar story for Dubai, although they have slightly more action - but nothing too much to worry about i'd imagine. Two weeks ago three minor things happened and achieved nothing.
Being even more picky Cyprus isn t under attack. A British RAF base was targeted twice, not the whole island.
Of course facts don t matter to the U.K. press who seem to be desperate for WW3 and using Cyprus as if it s under constant aerial bombardment.
So, to reiterate, nothing is happening.
If you d like photos just ask, but here s a video of us messing about last Sunday on motorbikes on one of the min roads out of Limassol. Not the empty, blue sky
https://youtu.be/hcNbJvbwwi0?is=LQe7rMNMZzFMRbSm
Prisoner 24601 said:
Thank you for responding. Knowing how the world works now and how 'mainstream media' operates, this was my strong suspicion, however, it's good that you have validated it. A similar story for Dubai, although they have slightly more action - but nothing too much to worry about i'd imagine.
There’s literally nothing happening, or going to happen here. It was probably some “Durka, durka Mohammed Jihad” types firing a few rockets out of a pick up in Lebanon who failed spectacularly to do any physical damage, but achieved a level of widespread panic in the U.K. that they could only dream of. If you are looking at a holiday here, then expect a mega-bargain. The press coverage has caused a lot of panic cancellations and tourism numbers are down c30% year on year, so there will be some good deals out there.
Opapayer, as you live Cyprus, can I ask, is it still the case that more places are staying open all year long now?
For example, we went to the same hotel in Paphos in November 2018 and 2019, and we were there pretty much the last week they were open. They were then closing for 3 months.
But in November 2023, the same hotel was staying open all year round, no more 3 month closure.
Also, on the same holiday, we were talking to a chap that owns a cafe on the front in Paphos and he was telling us the same; i.e. the used to close over the winter period, but since Covid, they are now not doing so.
It just seemed interesting how Covid changed businesses' approach to winter closing.
Are they still doing that, in general?
For example, we went to the same hotel in Paphos in November 2018 and 2019, and we were there pretty much the last week they were open. They were then closing for 3 months.
But in November 2023, the same hotel was staying open all year round, no more 3 month closure.
Also, on the same holiday, we were talking to a chap that owns a cafe on the front in Paphos and he was telling us the same; i.e. the used to close over the winter period, but since Covid, they are now not doing so.
It just seemed interesting how Covid changed businesses' approach to winter closing.
Are they still doing that, in general?
It s still fairly mixed. The areas that are predominantly geared for tourists still close down in the main. There are a number of reasons behind it with seasonal work, governmental support for employees being laid off for 3 months of the year, businesses being unable to cover their fixed costs when open etc. obviously, some staying open means they get what little trade there is, so it makes sense for them, but it s a fine line line to tread for all of them. Closure over the off season gives those needing a refurb the opportunity to do it too.
Paphos has two main areas to consider Kato (lower) Paphos is mainly tourist centric, so the vast majority will close down, Pano (upper) Paphos is more local custom so stays open all year round and is a much nicer place to be IMO. There will always be hotels that are open, but forget going into the pool after September, unless you enjoy hypothermia! The sea is fine to swim in until the New Year, I often go for a Christmas Day swim, weather dependant.
The weather is a tricky one though once the summer season is over. Contrary to popular belief we do have a winter here and it does get cold. Properties are designed to shed heat, so when it hits 10°C at night it s bloody cold in a concrete building that s letting heat out quicker than you can put it in. Now imagine that in a 500 room hotel and what it would cost. However, temperature is relative. When I used to come here in November form the U.K. I was shorts and t-shirts all the time. Now I m jeans, hoody, puffer jacket, gloves and even woolly hat at the same time of year.
The government is trying to promote Cyprus as an all year round destination and it really is. To be honest July and August are stupid hot and many who live here get off the island, or head into the mountains for some relief. The cooler periods are great, but occasionally you get a wet winter. We ve had a lot of (much needed) rain this year, but even then the sun comes out and it s bone dry inside an hour.
Just to add I don’t think Covid caused change, change just happened for some, but not for others.
Paphos has two main areas to consider Kato (lower) Paphos is mainly tourist centric, so the vast majority will close down, Pano (upper) Paphos is more local custom so stays open all year round and is a much nicer place to be IMO. There will always be hotels that are open, but forget going into the pool after September, unless you enjoy hypothermia! The sea is fine to swim in until the New Year, I often go for a Christmas Day swim, weather dependant.
The weather is a tricky one though once the summer season is over. Contrary to popular belief we do have a winter here and it does get cold. Properties are designed to shed heat, so when it hits 10°C at night it s bloody cold in a concrete building that s letting heat out quicker than you can put it in. Now imagine that in a 500 room hotel and what it would cost. However, temperature is relative. When I used to come here in November form the U.K. I was shorts and t-shirts all the time. Now I m jeans, hoody, puffer jacket, gloves and even woolly hat at the same time of year.
The government is trying to promote Cyprus as an all year round destination and it really is. To be honest July and August are stupid hot and many who live here get off the island, or head into the mountains for some relief. The cooler periods are great, but occasionally you get a wet winter. We ve had a lot of (much needed) rain this year, but even then the sun comes out and it s bone dry inside an hour.
Just to add I don’t think Covid caused change, change just happened for some, but not for others.
Thanks for the reply. I had assumed the changes were caused by Covid, but that may just have been a more of a coincidence then.
We've only ever been in October and November. The first time was in October, 25 years ago now, to get married. We stayed for 2 weeks, and it was almost like 2 different weeks, where in week two, loads of places had closed. That was in Kato Paphos.
And last time in 2023, we still saw plenty of places that had signs up saying they were now closed in the next year, but there did maybe seem a bit less of than previous years.
We are not beach or pool people, so a nippy swimming pool is not a concern ! And we've never been in the summer, and wouldn't do, because of the temperatures.
I see what you mean as well about deciding to open over the winter; if everywhere is open, there won't be enough tourists to go round, but then, businesses have to decide if it's worth or, or will this out on what tourism there is.
We've only ever been in October and November. The first time was in October, 25 years ago now, to get married. We stayed for 2 weeks, and it was almost like 2 different weeks, where in week two, loads of places had closed. That was in Kato Paphos.
And last time in 2023, we still saw plenty of places that had signs up saying they were now closed in the next year, but there did maybe seem a bit less of than previous years.
We are not beach or pool people, so a nippy swimming pool is not a concern ! And we've never been in the summer, and wouldn't do, because of the temperatures.
I see what you mean as well about deciding to open over the winter; if everywhere is open, there won't be enough tourists to go round, but then, businesses have to decide if it's worth or, or will this out on what tourism there is.
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