Larnaca, Cyprus. Tourism and business bodies in Larnaca called on Thursday for the direct intervention of President Nikos Christodoulides over continued delays to the Larnaca to Dhekelia road project. They cited mounting economic impact and disruption in the area.
Calls for presidential intervention
The Larnaca tourism board (Etap) said it was addressing the president “as a last-ditch effort to address a problem that remains unresolved despite previous assurances and contacts”, describing a prolonged delay with “significant negative consequences for the region and the tourism sector”.
Etap said the state had already granted significant time for completion “without the corresponding result” and called for “immediate and personal” intervention from the president, alongside “a clear, binding position regarding the final completion schedule”.
Project timeline and revised deadline
The road project began in September 2022 with an initial completion schedule of 30 months and was due to be delivered in March 2025.
An extension of more than one year has since been granted, setting a revised completion date of the end of April 2026.
Etap said “the picture presented today in the field is not even consistent with the revised timetable”, raising concerns of further delays.
Contacts with ministry and contractor
The letter referred to repeated contacts with the transport ministry and the contractor, saying “the project remains incomplete on multiple fronts” while delays “can no longer be considered either reasonable or justified”.
Reported economic and reputational impact
Etap said the consequences for the tourist area are “already serious and measurable”, with hotel businesses recording “increased cancellations” and tour operators “hesitant to conclude agreements” due to what it described as the image of a prolonged construction site damaging the area’s reputation.
Business chamber comments
Larnaca chamber of commerce (Evel) president Nakis Antoniou said the delay is creating financial strain for businesses. He said the project “should have been completed and delivered by April of last year” and that despite extensions “it is still not finished”.
He said repeated delays mean “neither hoteliers nor other businesses in the area will be able to afford the enormous nuisance”, adding that complaints from customers are increasing.
How have the roadworks affected your travel or business plans in the Larnaca area?