Interesting news from the Montreal Gazette:

Sun worshippers and beach goers in Cyprus will have an extra luxury on offer to them this summer in the form of a massage service.

The western coastal town of Paphos is toying with proposals made by a massage parlour in the capital Nicosia, to set up a kiosk on one of the municipal stretches of sandy beach, offering a relaxing massage, further enhancing the sun, sea and sand experience.

“If the municipality’s governing council decides in favour of the proposal then we might give them a spot on one of the beaches this year to start with,” said Savvas Vergas, the mayor of Paphos.

The massage service is set to open its doors for business on June 1, and prices will be closely monitored by the local municipality, just as they do with the rental of sun loungers and umbrellas.

Tourism accounts for almost 11 percent of the island’s GDP, and British tourists make up the majority of holidaymakers to Cyprus annually.

And who best to try out the latest fad but the mayor himself. “Why not,” he said. To read the original article click here

Coral Bay is the best beach on the island, according to whiteocean.com, who comment:

The sandy beach at Coral Bay is one of Paphos’ most well-known beaches and the perfect place in which you can spend days whilst on a family holiday.

The fine white sand is perfect for building sandcastles, whilst the banana boat companies and jet hire centre ensure that even active fathers will find something to do at this destination.

Once you’ve had your fill of sea and sand, be sure to check out the nearby marina which is set for completion in the near future. The beach is also the perfect spot for exploring the many coves and inlets located to the north, which hide some of Cyprus’ most isolated beaches.

For the latest weather in Cyprus visit yourcyprus.info

Cyprus has centuries of history mixed with modern holiday facilities, great beaches and the Mediterranean, and the island has enjoyed a good tourist industry over the years.

But destinations newly offered in Europe to tourists has taken away some of her visitors to pastures new - notably Egypt and Turkey.

Last year the number of people taking holidays in Cyprus fell by over ten per cent, leaving many hotels with plenty of empty bedrooms and restaurants and bars taking on fewer locals.

A dual impact of the recession in Europe and the impact of the cost of Euros for British tourists can be identified as the reasons for the decline - holidays in Cyprus are as attractive as they have even been and the weather in Cyprus lived up to those who did visit expectations.

Apart from the volume of Europeans taking holidays anywhere last year falling for the first time in a long while, cheaper destinations outside of the Eurozone were promoted heavily by tour operators in the important UK market.

Hotels in Egypt and Turkey are less expensive than Cyprus, and while some savings are passed on by tour operators to the consumer, it is also more profitable for the tour operators to sell the Egyptian and Turkish hotels than the hotels in Cyprus.

But bad news for the Cyprus holiday industry isn’t necessarily bad news for the tourist - quieter restaurants, more space on the beach and some good offers for late booked Cyprus holidays all add up to why a trip there now will make sense for those who are considering it.

Villa holidays could well come down in price as well as specialist companies reduce their prices for villa holidays in Cyprus this summer and autumn.

A week’s holiday in Cyprus in June for example with Thomson Holidays starts from just over 400 Sterling a person - and that includes both flights and a hotel in Limassol, with transfers to and from the airport for arriving and departing flights to Cyprus.

And better than that even is from Thomas Cook Holidays who are offering seven nights with flights, with the hotel in Larnaca, at under 340 Sterling a person - cheaper than a lot of holidays at home!

Continuing with good value, James Villas are offering a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa within walking distance of the holiday town of Coral Bay - even with two adults it works out at less than 450 sterling a person.

A profile of the island is available by visiting http://www.yourcyprus.info