Ayia Napa is where it’s hip, hot and happening

Clubbing holidays

Ayia Napa is where it’s hip, hot and happening

Growth of youth market lifts island’s profile

Once a small, quiet fishing village, Ayia Napa made its mark as the new hotspot for Britain’s hip young clubbers this summer.

Big name DJs attracted attention to the resort, Radio 1 and London’s Ministry of Sound endorsed it, and the ‘new Ibiza’ was born.

Hungry for the latest funky resort, the youth market flocked to Ayia Napa’s expanding bars and clubs to check out the action and get down to R’n’B and garage music.

Family market

But while its new reputation as a hedonist’s haven is welcomed by many, some tour operators feel it does the resort, and the island itself, more harm than good.

Argo managing director Mathilde Roberts feels strongly that the Ayia Napa revolution could damage the island and ruin some family holidays.

“One of my main concerns is the intimidating and aggressive nature of these young people and the effect this will have on our quieter clients,” she said.

“One customer of mine said she would never go back to Ayia Napa – how many others will think the same? The island will lose out.

“There are a few people making a lot of money but when it’s not fashionable any more, wewill all suffer.”

Clubbing growth

Sunvil managing director Noel Josephides is concerned the youth movement could spread elsewhere on the island.

“We’re worried that Cypriots will see what works in Ayia Napa and try to recreate it elsewhere. That would destroy the island. Cyprus can’t cope with these sort of increases, the infrastructure isn’t there. Growth has to be gradual.”

Others, meanwhile, dismissed the hype. First Choice product group manager for the eastern Mediterranean Steve Stewart said the situation was exaggerated, with even the biggest clubs smaller than those in Ibiza.

Ayia Napa, he said, is still very much a family destination.

Cosmos product manager Cyprus for Greece and Turkey Emma Radley echoed his views. “The youth market is a completely separate product, we’ve not decreased our family market, there are some fantastic family hotels away from the centre of Ayia Napa. The two markets can exist side by side, there’s room for both,” she said.

Maintaining publicity

And some operators, along with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, felt the publicity about the Ayia Napa explosion has helped to keep Cyprus in the public eye and added to its overall appeal.

Unijet general manager for short haul John Riley said: “Cyprus was a middle-aged couple’s market and now young people and clubbers have been added to that. It adds to the maturity of the destination – Cyprus can appeal to families, young people and the older generations alike.

“The youth attraction is something that has assisted growth, it doesn’t mean the whole island will turn into downtown Magaluf.”

Adaptable: operators insist the youth market and the family market can co-exist in Cyprus

Clubbers’ guide

Serefis Square: a popular meeting place for young clubbers

Forget the local hotel disco. Ayia Napa is firmly on the map as a holiday hotspot for serious young clubbers, and with the growing number of bars and clubs, there’s plenty to choose from.

The action focuses on Serefis Square where the young party crowd gather in bars to plan the night ahead. One of the biggest venues in town is Pzazz which holds over 2,000 people and is often hosted by über-hip clubs such as Liverpool’s Cream. The famous Ayia Napa club night Twice as Nice – the compilation CDof which is in the shops now – is also held here.

The Castle, with its outdoor pre-club bar for warming up, is a favourite of Radio 1, Kiss and the Ministry of Sound. Club Mythology attracts a glamourous crowd, while the frenetic Faces is one of the hippest around. For ’70s retro, Starsky and Hutch fits the bill. And if you want to chill out there’s always the Freedom Reggae Bar. For an pre-club adrenaline hit, the Buzz Bar is the place to get going.

Cosmos joined forces with the Ministry of Sound to produce a guide to clubs and accommodation which it says is designed for serious clubbers. Clubber’s Guide to Travel product manager Chris Medd said: “It’s for people who go clubbing at home and want to do the same on holiday – they follow the DJs and their music abroad. We’re not aiming to force boozy bar crawls down their throats, the whole trip is centred around the music.”

With less of a focus on foam parties and a dedication to ‘keeping it real’ through the music, Ayia Napa looks set to remain a clubbers’ paradise for some time to come.