High demand for village accommodation in the Troodos Mountains is prompting a growing number of Cypriot property owners to make their houses available through UK tour operators.
Owners of architecturally listed houses are increasingly taking up the Cypriot government’s low-interest home improvement loans and are turning their renovated houses over to tourism.
Cyprus Tourism Organisation’s UK director Orestis Rossides said:”More and more villagers are taking up the offer and 50 extra village house beds are becoming available each year.”
One community to have enthusiastically embraced the concept of village tourism is Omodhos, the latest recipient of the £10,500 Louis Loizou Award.
The award, carrying the name of the Cypriot Company Louis Organisation’s late founder, goes to the town or village that has made the highest contribution to tourism in any year.
With three properties added for this year, First Choice now offers 11 village houses in Omodhos, each known simply by the owner’s name. All except the newly built Mary’s House have been renovated.
Marketing manager summer sun/winter sun Tim Williamson said: “These are family homes in one of Cyprus’ prettiest villages. They offer a different aspect to a hotel-oriented island.”
The houses sleep from two to five people. A one-bedroom house for two adults costs from £449 a person per week and a two-bedroom property for five adults leads in at £329 a person per week.
Sunvil has a selection of rural properties. Managing director Noel Josephides said: “Village houses and village inns are certainly increasing in popularity, though the Cypriot product is not upmarket like Tuscany.
“The Cyprus villages are working villages, where people go to get away from the bustle of the coast. The mountains are relaxing, cool in summer and ideal for walking – definitely an older person’s market.”
However, Josephides added: “Some owners are making a big mistake in converting their houses into many small apartments in the hope of attracting more business. This can work against them as people prefer to stay in bigger properties.”
Cyplon offers accommodation in villages outside the immediate mountain area – handy for clients keen to stay in the countryside but who want a shorter journey to the coast.
They include Anoyira, between Paphos and Limassol; Goudi, close to Latchi; Pentakomo, 10mins from Limassol; and Tochni and Kalavasos, 12 miles from Larnaca.
Managing director Harry Hajipapas said:”A village stay is therapeutic – the countryside is cooler, quieter and very relaxing. For the more active, there’s bird-watching, hiking and mountain biking.”
Libra Holidays has expanded its range of hotels, complexes and houses on offer in 16 villages across the island in the first dedicated Agrotourism brochure. Libra/Priceright sales and marketing manager Kim Wonnacott said:”These are holidays with a difference, spent in renovated old-world houses or hotels in the mountains.
“They are targeted at people who want to get to know Cyprus as it was 50 years ago – time has stood still in the mountains.
“You can watch halloumi cheese being made and see grapes being pressed for wine. You can buy freshly baked bread for breakfast and if the mood takes you be on the beach an hour later.”
The Troodos hotels are featured extensively across the trade – including the four-star Forest Park and the three-star Churchill Pinewood Valley, Agora, Pendeli, Rodon Mount and New Helvetia.
Argo Holidays offers seven and 14-night twin centres combining mountain villages and beach resorts.
The 14-day lead-in price is £539 for four nights in the New Helvetia and 10 nights in the three-star Cynthiana Beach near Paphos.