Philenews

Golden Forests for… Crumbs at Hotels in Ayia Napa

Published January 28, 2026, 05:12
Golden Forests for… Crumbs at Hotels in Ayia Napa

An audit report reveals significant financial losses for the state due to low rents for state forest land leased to five hotels in Ayia Napa. The contracts, signed from 1970 to 1982, provide for rent adjustments every five years based on hotel rates, which were abolished in 2019. As a result, hotels are paying rents based on past prices, ignoring inflation and the increase in tourism revenue. The report highlights inequalities in rents between hotels, as well as the fact that the lowest rents per square meter are paid by the units that manage the largest areas of forest land. The Audit Office warns of possible illegal state aid and distortion of competition.