The licence, he added, would be issued sometime in 2016. Construction would begin immediately upon the issuing of the licence.

“The creation of the casino will bring to Cyprus hundreds of thousands of quality tourists a year, andwill of course create jobs, which is the objective,” Anastasiades said in a speech before the annual general meeting of the Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA).

Back in July parliament approved the creation of a casino resort in Cyprus plus four more so-called satellite establishments, in a move the island hopes would attract more tourism from the region.

The law provides for one casino resort and four satellites. Three would only host gambling machines, while the fourth would also include table games.

Amendments inserted by parties include a ban on granting credit to players, and that state land will not be used for the construction of the casinos.

Entrance criteria have also been introduced for Cypriot players who would have to secure a special permit after their tax file is checked.

The creation of a casino is only one facet of the government’s drive to upgrade the island’s tourist product, Anastasiades said. In the same speech, he revealed that an additional flight link between Larnaca and Brussels would be created by the end of this year.

In the meantime, the government is hammering out a ‘national strategy’ for tourism, expected to be completed within six months.

It will address long-standing issues such as seasonality, quality and diversification.

A core aspect of the strategy, Anastasiades said, will be to cut red tape and thus eliminate ‘unnecessary costs’ to the tourist product.

A package of legislation, to be submitted to the parliament by year’s end, will simplify the issuance of permits for tourist accommodation premises and for bars and restaurants. Currently, such premises need several permits from various governmental departments.

Tourism, Anastasiades noted, is one of Cyprus’ strongest assets. “It has helped keep our economy standing over the last two difficult years,” he said.

Citing figures, the President said total tourist arrivals from January through July this year came to 1.45 million, the best year on record – for the time period in question – since 2002.

Anastasiades announced also that the new passenger terminal of Limassol harbour will be completed by February next year. On the stalled Ayia Napa marina project, he said that construction work is expected to begin within the year or in early 2016.

Source: Cyprus Mail