New marina to be built in the north

A new marina is to be built at Famagusta in the north of the island, it was reported on Tuesday.

According to Turkish Cypriot media reports, authorities announced plans to construct a new marina aimed at attracting more visitors.

‘Minister’ of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu said the new marina will be positive for the breakaway state.

Ataoglu said that there was a significant rise in the number of yachts in the Mediterranean, reaching a million, and that new investment areas in France, Spain and Italy which currently hold 75 per cent of the marina capacity in the region was limited.

He also said that rise in pollution, overcrowding and prices in the Western Mediterranean made the north of Cyprus and other regional countries attractive.
The creation of new well-built marinas on a build-operate-transfer model was imperative and very important, he said, to meet rising demand.

Famagusta will open a door to the world with the new marina, Ataoglu said.

The project, according to Ataoglu, was designed as a social-cultural complex by giving particular importance to the needs of the people of Famagusta and the north in general.  Apart from the berthing facilities, a customs office as well as social spaces such as cafes, restaurants and a car park would be included in the project.

There are currently two marinas in the north, one in Kyrenia and one at Yialousa in the Karpas peninsula