Jet2holidays has launched a bumper choice of holidays for Summer 2021 from four of its UK bases. These bases include Belfast International, Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle.

Expanded programmes at each of the four bases means that Jet2.com and Jet2holidays is giving customers and independent travel agents more choice and flexibility than ever before when it comes to offering customers holidays to their favourite summer hotspots such as the Canaries, Balearics, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.

The programme announced includes a brand-new route to Larnaca in Cyprus from Belfast International Airport.

With daily and multiple weekly flights to many destinations from the four bases, holidaymakers can continue to enjoy complete flexibility over how long they choose to holiday for – a move which Jet2holidays pioneered 10 years ago so that customers can choose holidays of any duration to suit their budgets and needs.

The Leptos Group, which is at the forefront of real estate since 1960, had recently celebrated 25 continuous years of publication of its Property Gazette (in English and Russian) with 60,000 copies published per year and more than 1,5 million to date.

The Larnaca Tourism Board organised the annual educational tour for Larnaca hotel staff, domestic travel agents and other tourism industry workers.

On the basis of the results of the Cyprus Passengers Survey, arrivals of tourists reached 85,622 in January compared to 81,970 in January 2019, recording an increase of 4,5 percent.

DP World has appointed Nawaf Abdulla as DP World Limassol’s CEO, replacing Edi Cioran, who had been serving as the company’s interim CEO since December 2019 and will resume his responsibilities of regional operations director for DP World’s Europe region.

Kratinos Socratous talks to Travel Trade Cyprus about the Football Escapes Academy at Parklane a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Limassol.

Travel Trade Cyprus: Can you tell us how the Football Escapes Academy was initiated for the hotel?

Kratinos Socratous: The idea goes back to 2016 when one of the founding members and shareholder of Football Escapes (FE), Bobby Zamora shared his vision with me, which resulted in the Parklane becoming one of their launch partners in the luxury hotel sector. For the record, FE’s shareholders also include former Manchester United and England captain, Rio Ferdinand, who was one of the legend coaches at the Parklane in the Summer 2019 season.

Travel Trade Cyprus: Who are the legendary coaches for the academy and what will their roles be?

Kratinos Socratous: The forthcoming Summer 2020 season will be the second year of our partnership with Football Escapes and will feature the former English Premier League football legends, Jermaine Jenas, Jack Wilshere, Wes Brown, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen, and Danny Murphy.

Travel Trade Cyprus: What are the facilities for the academy and what will be on offer?

Kratinos Socratous: Each FE academy week at the Parklane, costs EUR500 (GBP450) per child 5-15 years of age. The package includes the following: two hours per day for five days (Monday to Friday) training with a legend star, as well as two-three EPL professional academy coaches, one branded kit consisting of a shirt, shorts and socks with the child’s name and preferred number printed on the back, a medal and certificate at the end of the coaching week, together with commemorative photos with the featured star and accompanying coaches.

Travel Trade Cyprus: If someone is interested, what would the booking procedures be to participate?

Kratinos Socratous: Once the accommodation reservation is made through one’s preferred travel agent or direct with the hotel, then the parents need to visit www.footballescapes.com/destinations/cyprus in order to book their child’s coaching week at the Parklane. The FE academy is available exclusively to children staying with their parents at the Parklane, i.e. non-residents of our hotel may not participate.

Travel Trade Cyprus: What are the dates for the programme?

Kratinos Socratous: April 06 – 10, 2020 – Jermain Jenas | May 25-29, 2020 - Jack Wilshere | July 27-31, 2020 – Wes Brown | August 03-07, 2020 – Dimitar Berbatov | August 10-14, 2020 – Michael Owen | October 26-30, 2020 – Danny Murphy

Travel Trade Cyprus: Is there anything further you would like to add?

Kratinos Socratous: Football Escapes at the Parklane is limited to 60 children per week, so for those parents who wish to surprise their children, they are best advised to book early so as to avoid any unnecessary disappointments!

Kition Ocean Holdings, an Israeli organisation and Cyprus have recently reached an agreement, submitting a proposal for more than EUR1 billion for the development of the existing marina and port at Larnaca.

According to Sofocles Sofocleous, mayor, Lefkara, a 300-400 capacity conference centre will be available to contribute to Lefkara as well as to the tourist industry in the area as it will be able to host a range of events.

Wizz Air, will on June 01 launch flights between Larnaca and Yerevan with twice weekly flights.

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, recently held its annual internal commercial conference which was attended by the airline’s chairman, executive management, station managers from the entire network, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) and Gulf Air Holding Group.