Almyra Hotel Manager: “We expect an excellent year, better than 2022”

Jochen Niemann, Manager of Almyra Hotel of Thanos Hotels & Resorts, explains why Paphos’ high-end hotel is an ideal holiday destination, for couples as well as families, and how last-minute bookings are on an upward trend. “We expect an excellent year, better than 2022 as regards guest numbers,” he said, adding that the hotel was fully booked during Catholic Easter, mainly with families from the UK.

What do you have in store for the new season at Almyra hotel?

For the new season we aim to deliver the same high standards of service our guests have been accustomed to, tailored to meet their needs and surpass their expectations. We have fine-tuned the food menus in all our restaurants by incorporating new trends and guest feedback and by offering a variety of special dishes such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.

What do you believe sets Almyra apart from its competition?

Almyra is a breath of fresh air for those seeking a ‘less ordinary’ holiday: A chilled hotel, member of Design Hotels, flavoured with a healthy dose of reviving for the soul. The hotel occupies eight acres of beautifully landscaped gardens at the heart of Paphos’ seafront, creating the perfect base for a quiet romantic getaway or a memorable Cypriot family adventure. Catering equally to couples and fun-loving families, Almyra is all about carefree Mediterranean living with a cool, contemporary twist.

Any indication if it’s going to be a good year for tourism?

Bookings so far are very promising, and we expect an excellent year, better than 2022 as regards guest numbers. The hotel was fully booked during Catholic Easter, mainly with families from the UK. What we are seeing right now is a rise in last-minute travel bookings, which is becoming a trend.

Am I correct in noticing that the island’s hotels are opening earlier than usual? Is this an indication that efforts to extend the tourism season are proving a success?

It is indeed an indication, with quite a few hotels not closing at all, such as our sister hotel Annabelle next door. Especially in Paphos, we are seeing more and more tourist arrivals throughout the year. With beautiful beaches, mountains, and historical sites to explore, and 300 days of sunshine, Cyprus is truly a year-round destination.

You have been in your current position for a year. What do you consider as your biggest achievements to date and what do you hope to achieve moving forward?

I would say our biggest achievement was putting together a highly efficient team, poised to start the season with excitement and enthusiasm. Having a trained team in place, we are able to build on our achievements from last year and raise our standards to the next level. Thanos Group employs more than 1,000 people who share the same values and passion for their work. We continue to invest heavily in our people and our communities, creating a sustainable model for success.

Following the devastating blow of the coronavirus and then the war in Ukraine on the hotel industry, Paphos has steadily started to get back on its feet. What do you believe makes the town such a special tourist destination?

Paphos will continue to be among the first choices for holidaymakers whether coming from abroad or locals. It is the ideal destination offering a plethora of sites to see, nature to explore, as well as new and fascinating gastronomic attractions. The city has made a huge effort to attract visitors, including the implementation of numerous programmes aimed towards developing urban applications and infrastructure through a package of advanced digital services. The very active Paphos Regional Board of Tourism has managed to stand out and win the Award for the Best, Innovative and Creative initiative for the enhancement of a cultural/archaeological site.

How did you cope with the loss of Russian tourists? Have you replaced this important market?

The loss of the Russian market was a significant blow to our tourism in general. As a Group we have always operated proactively and maintained efforts to reach out to new markets. We see arrivals from Germany continuing to rise, followed by smaller markets such as Poland and Israel. Paphos Airport will now be connected with even more main cities in Europe and third countries, a development that is considered of exceptional and strategic importance for Paphos and Cyprus in general, since it is expected to boost the economy and further advance the various tourist segments.

A number of international hotel brands have announced their presence in Cyprus in the coming years. Is this kind of competition welcomed?

International hotel brands will want to operate throughout the year. Overall, I am very positive about it, as it will lead to more flight connections and ultimately raise awareness about Cyprus and attract additional human capital.

Many hotels are understaffed. What is the situation with Almyra and how do you believe this problem can be permanently solved?

The hospitality sector lost many promising talents to other industries during the pandemic as establishments were forced to close for lengthy periods of time. A solution is to become a preferred employer offering work stability and incentives and for the government to open up more positions for candidates from non-EU countries. As mentioned earlier, at Thanos Hotels we continue to invest in our human force, providing additional training and coaching to enhance our peoples’ skills.