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Cyprus can become once again a centre for cruises in the Mediterranean after its services are upgraded and peace prevails in the Eastern Mediterranean, President of the Medcruise Association Huan Madrid said on Thursday.
At a press conference on the sidelines of the organisation's annual general assembly in the southern coastal town of Limassol, Madrid said his organisation is hoping for peace in the Eastern Mediterranean, something that will contribute to a significant increase in cruises to the region.
He said that under such circumstances, Cyprus could become once again, due to its geographical position, a centre for cruises in the Mediterranean.
President of the Ports Authority Chrysis Prentzas said that the Authority is promoting the construction of a large passenger room that will cost 10 million pounds (around 20 million US dollars) and will serve passengers and cruise liner visitors. He also said that the Authority is promoting the development of Larnaca Port in an effort to attract cruise liners and their passengers.
Director General of the Ports Authority Yiannakis Kokkinos said that in 2005, around 450 thousand passengers traveled through the Cyprus ports, 200 thousand of which were transit cruise liner passengers and the remaining tourists visiting Cyprus.
Medcruise Association was founded in 1996 to promote cruises. A total of 62 ports from 17 Mediterranean countries are members of the Association. | 
