Argo urges action to prevent slide in Ayia Napa family sales

Company seeks meeting with CTO and rival operators to discuss falling standards

Argo urges action to prevent slide in Ayia Napa family sales

Report by STEVE JONES

ARGO Holidays is urging the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and rival operators to raise standards in Ayia Napa or risk alienating the traditional family market.

It is calling for a meeting to discuss ways of ensuring the resort does not become known primarily for clubbing and drunken revelry.

Among the moves demanded by Argo is the end of promotional posters displayed by rivals, which it claims are encouraging youngsters to drink excessively and have sex.

Managing director Mathilde Robert said its reputation as one of the party capitals of the Mediterranean will soon drive away families and couples.

“The young people who are heading to Ayia Napa are not strapped for money and many are staying in four and five-star hotels where our families are,” she said.

“Our reps have been outraged at some of the material that has appeared in the hotel promoting drunkenness. No-one is saying people should not have a good time but there has to be standards and those in Ayia Napa are slipping. It must stop, otherwise we will all suffer.”

One Argo rep who wrote to the London head office said the situation was getting out of control.

“One of my main concerns is the intimidating and aggressive nature of many of the guests. I am concerned what will happen next year,” she wrote.

The rep went on to criticise the CTO for “sticking its head in the sand”.

Commercial and aviation director Harry Kyrillou said the damage will be felt more on sales for next summer.

“This year was the first time Ayia Napa has been in the spotlight, and the worry is that next year our regular clients will go elsewhere,” he said. “Hoteliers are certainly worried about it.”

He called on the CTO, the Cypriot government, local Ayia Napa authorities and operators to join forces and tackle the issue. “The CTO cannot put its head in the sand,” said Kyrillou.

“Although Ayia Napa is very popular, it is only a matter of time before the resort is permanently tainted. If that is allowed to happen we will all lose out.”

Party time:Argo said reps have been shocked by promotional material which encourages drunkenness