Ayia Napa, Cyprus BY Grace & Natalia

Ayia Napa, Cyprus (HIC) Tucked away down in southeast Cyprus is the island’s non-stop clubbing capital, Ayia Napa. By day, the resort is a buzzing mix of water sports, seafront bars and sailing, with a top water park nearby and your pick of the white-gold beaches. At night, Ayia Napa shifts up a gear, with its famous square coming alive with big-name party nights at legendary clubs. FAST FACTS Language: The languages spoken in Ayia Napa are Greek and Turkish Currency: The currency used in Ayia Napa is the Euro (€) Local time: Ayia Napa is 2 hours ahead of GMT/UK time Fly to: Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Flight time from UK: Approximately 4.5 hours WEATHER AND CLIMATE Temperature: Average of 25-27°C in summer. Best time to visit: July to August is the high season, for weather and nightlife. Ayia Napa’s long, hot summers are typical of Cyprus’ Mediterranean climate. The temperature begins to climb in May, generally hovering around the mid to high 20s (°C). July is the hottest month to visit Ayia Napa, with an average of 27°C.

The effects of tourism on Ayia Napa, Cyprus - Positive Environmental Lara Beach on the Akamas Peninsula has been protected for the Green and Hawks-bill turtles to lay their eggs – Friendly to nature All new hotels in Ayia Napa are built with sewage facilities and fresh water supplies. Economic Tourism provides 20% of the GDP of Cyprus. When the multiplier effect is applied, this figure is at least doubled. Jobs are created for the locals at hotels in Ayia Napa, such as the Nissi Beach and the Adams Beach Hotels Social There are more bus services to Larnica, the capital, then there would be if Ayia Napa was still a small fishing village. The local youth in Ayia Napa have a much better nightlife due to all the clubs that have opened for tourists, for example, Monkey Business and the Mambo Bar.

The effects of tourism on Ayia Napa, Cyprus - Negative Environmental The beach was used by turtles to lay their eggs but they no longer came to this part of Cyprus. There has been a massive building program with many new hotels being built right next to Nissi Beach. Economic Hotels let only about 30% of their rooms in winter. This means that jobs in hotels are only seasonal. Many staff are not needed in the winter months. The attraction of better paying jobs in the new hotels in Ayia Napa such as the Nissi Beach mean that there are fewer young people working in agriculture. The original inhabitants of Ayia Napa have moved away and built themselves a new village on the hill above the town. They were driven away by the behaviour of the tourists. The local fisherman who used to fish from the harbour in Ayia Napa have no fish to catch as the fish have been scared away by the tourists. The fisherman take the tourists on boat trips around the Greco peninsular instead. Social