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[BRANJO]

Looking at starting a business on the beach in Ayia Napa - how would we go about it? Is it easy to get a permit etc?

[tarama]

Looking at starting a business on the beach in Ayia Napa - how would we go about it? Is it easy to get a permit etc?

I think, no one is allowed any more to do business on the Beach anywere in Cyprus. All the businesses that excisted on the bach were dimolished due to European Union. there are places that you can do but after a certain number of metres away from the beach. Ayia Napa though has no places left. The only way to do smth, is to go and find somebody who owns a place and try to buy it. or rent it. I think a good place to find such information is the website of cyprus tourisn organisation on "http://www.visitcyprus.org.cy/". You can also email them and they will provide you with information if any.
All the best

[BRANJO]

Thanks for your reply - most helpful. What about watersports or are all these pitches owned on the beach and would you have to have a permit - who would the best people to contact about finding out info on this?

[devil]

Just a wee word. I fear that your wanting to start up a business there, where there is already competition, will not be viewed on by the others in a kindly light. You will probably meet strong opposition to obtaining permits and all sorts of nuisances (or worse) placed in your path. I knew an English lady who opened a restaurant not very far from a popular beach. She was constantly harassed (people coming in, ordering a meal at a busy time and then loudly complaining about everything, human excretions on the doorstep, "complaints" to the health inspectors, even attempted arson). She closed down after a few months.

[BRANJO]

We were actually looking into a different kind of watersport - that we haven't actually seen on the beaches in Protaras - we have noticed that there are already watersports on most of the beaches doing jet skis, bananas etc and wondered if it would be hard to introduce something new?

[tarama]

Just a wee word. I fear that your wanting to start up a business there, where there is already competition, will not be viewed on by the others in a kindly light. You will probably meet strong opposition to obtaining permits and all sorts of nuisances (or worse) placed in your path. I knew an English lady who opened a restaurant not very far from a popular beach. She was constantly harassed (people coming in, ordering a meal at a busy time and then loudly complaining about everything, human excretions on the doorstep, "complaints" to the health inspectors, even attempted arson). She closed down after a few months.

Devil is true. People of that particular territory are very bad mannered. They opposite to everything new, even to locals. They want to control everything there and a person who's not from the surrounding villages is a foreigner to them. Try to get this kind of water sports you want to have, as a representative and sell equipment to the people that own water sports there. Much more safe approach and the worst thing you might get into, is no sales. You will not loose money though. The best is that they like the new ideas and buy from you equipment.
Cheers