Coach Convoy escorted by Police

[cyprusmax47]

I believe it has something to do with investors from Israel not tourists.
Article in the news...

THREE Paphos hotels have been bought by Israeli investors, a move which is being welcomed by the tourism sector.
The seafront hotels are the Cypria Maris, Cypria Bay, and Laura, and offer a full room-and-board basis holidays.
Head of the Paphos hoteliers Euripides Loizides told the Cyprus Mail: “There is a demand and so this is a positive move for the industry in Paphos. The Laura was sold to an investor from Hong Kong, it is in need of investment, but they ran out of money. The new investor is Israeli, he purchased it this year along with two other hotels. It is generally good for Paphos,” he said.
According to an announcement on ‘Globes’, an Israeli financial daily, website, ISSTA , Israel’s largest tourist company, and the Fattal Hotel Management Ltd. chain have announced their joint acquisition, in equal shares of the three hotels at a cost of around €80 million.
The Cypria Bay Hotel has a number of large swimming pools, a covered pool, a fitness room, spa, and restaurants and all rooms face the sea. The Cypria Maris Hotel is currently undergoing renovations on all its rooms and facilities include pools, a tennis court, a spa, and four restaurants.
The Laura Hotel has a water park, pools, two restaurants, a spa, a fitness room, and extensive public areas.
According to Globes, the joint acquisition follows the Fattal chain’s international expansion, and is part of ISSTA’s tourism-focused real estate expansion strategy.
Paphos municipality was twinned with Herzliya in Israel last year and is strengthening ties with the ‘Silicon Valley’ of Israel, home to many high-tech companies. Residents of Herzliya are among the wealthiest in Israel.
ISSTA Israel and the Fattal chain will be responsible for marketing holiday packages for these hotels to Israelis, Fattal will also manage the hotels.
The Fattal Hotel Chain is Israel’s largest and manages 38 hotels in Israel and 85 in Europe.
In 2007 Fattal hotels expanded its operation to Europe, and opened its first hotel in Europe in Berlin.
Since then the hotel chain has expanded to other parts of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Hungary. It also recently acquired hotels in Madrid, Amsterdam, Slovenia and Scotland.
Globes reported that ISSTA and TUS Airways will operate a minimum of four weekly flights from Haifa to Paphos, in addition to the existing flights to Paphos from Ben Gurion Airport, in order to offer a wider range of holiday packages

[2QuarterPints]

I saw them again yesterday on the A6 just outside Lemesos, heading that way. If they are tourists I have to wonder why they would go somewhere where Police escorts are needed, seemingly every day. Also, would the Police be prepared to keep providing the escorts?

[geoffreys]

I saw them again yesterday on the A6 just outside Lemesos, heading that way. If they are tourists I have to wonder why they would go somewhere where Police escorts are needed, seemingly every day. Also, would the Police be prepared to keep providing the escorts?

And are they paying for it?
Geoff.

[Poppy]

I would have thought that it is a bit worrying having so many tourists from Israel. Surely Cyprus is not in a position to increase it's security to the level that may be needed?

[Dominic]

Just a thought, but given the level of security involved, it probably isn't in their best interests to keep posting their whereabouts.

[Alewfin]

If the Israeli delegation believe they need this level of security / protection what does it say about them or/and what does it say about security / protection in Cyprus ?

If the Israeli delegation think they are a target then so is their property / assets and therefore their hotels. Clearly riding around with an armed escort is surely an open advertisement / invitation to terrorists. If you feel threatened then surely the last thing you would want to do is advertise the fact.

If the Cyprus authorities have made the decision that the Israeli delegation need this level of protection then it doesn't say much for the safety of people resident or holidaying on the island. And it must also put into question the type of investors the Cyprus government wish to attract.

Alternately, there could be an innocent explanation to the coach convoy.

[PhotoLady]

Who says it's for security reasons?

Maybe they just want the convoy kept together in order to move from a to b as quickly as possible and not waste time sitting in traffic. I've worked for Israeli companies for 12yrs and am aware all they want is the job done - and doing "now".

[Poppy]

Sorry Jules,you may be right in part but as two of us have already pointed out they require security for their rugby and their bowls teams so there is obviously an issue

[lefkes]

Several quad bikes came through our village yesterday in convoy with a police escort of cars and motor cycle out riders ,stopping the flow of traffic.Could be the " Israeli delegates " have got off the bus.!

[Poppy]

Lloyd ,you have said it yourself,Israelis are one of the most persecuted nations so surely there is a major security risk, not just for them but for any residents of Cyprus. It is fine to have a multi national Island but when that impacts on the existing inhabitants security then imho that is a problem. Cyprus already has crazy Russians who build ridiculous structures( as in Tala and private unlicensed zoos as in Coral Bay) and produces some of the worst ,aggressive driving I have ever seen eg the russian boy who killed someone last year. It may help your business initially having all this wealth coming in but I refute that it will help Cyprus in the long term.

[PhotoLady]

Poppy, I wouldn't be worrying too much about it.....

There are already lots of Israelis in Cyprus and have been for many years. They live and work here, bring their families here and run businesses too - but they rarely make the news for what they do.

I agree with Lloyd wholeheartedly, they are one of the most persecuted nations - they work very hard and also know how to play hard. They get on with life and deal with it. All my bosses appear to have come from the same mould.... awake and online or mobiles almost 24/7. They expect you to work just as hard and give them their return but they do treat their employees very well.

[Yioula]

The Israeli people have been in Cyprus for decades, before the Russian invasion on Lemesos there was a section past the Churchill Hotel that was the Israeli sector with Banks and shops etc.....

[Poppy]

No Lloyd you have got me wrong!! I have absolutely nothing against jewish people whatsoever and I have no idea why you may have thought I had. All I was trying to say is that it appears that there could be serious security issues in Cyprus for them and existing residents.

[Dominic]

it appears that there could be serious security issues in Cyprus for them and existing residents.

No there couldn't.

[Poppy]

Why are you so sure Dominic?They themselves certainly have concerns if they need security for even a game of bowls.

[Dominic]

One potentially over-protective coach party does not mean the security of the island is at stake.

[Mark]

Is this becoming a political post?

Interesting as it is.

[Poppy]

Dominic you are not listening or deliberately burying your head in the sand!! Not just one potentially over protected coach party but as has been stated high levels of security for rugby and bowls teams. They themselves must certainly feel they are at risk so surely it is silly to dismiss their concerns?

[Dominic]

Dominic you are not listening or deliberately burying your head in the sand!! Not just one potentially over protected coach party but as has been stated high levels of security for rugby and bowls teams. They themselves must certainly feel they are at risk so surely it is silly to dismiss their concerns?

I am listening. I just think you are getting yourself worked up over nothing.

If you get attacked, it is natural to take extra precautions the next time you go out. It doesn't mean that everybody else is at greater risk from an attack. The risk is the same as it always was.

[boycott]

No doubt the Munich Olympic attack in 1972 has concentrated the Israeli minds somewhat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_massacre