JEDDAH, 4 July 2006 — Tourists from Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world are increasingly visiting Cyprus. The island state in the Mediterranean region gets more than 2.5 million visitors a year. Cyprus Airways, which has been flying to the Kingdom for 30 years, considers itself largely responsible for boosting the visitor numbers to the island state, George Kapello, the airline’s manager for the Kingdom, said on Sunday night.

“Saudis are familiar with the island not only because of its friendliness and hospitality, but also because it’s safe and secure for the visitor,” he said at the opening of a three-day Mediterranean food festival at the Trident Jeddah, which ends today. “It’s become a popular getaway holiday resort for the Arabs because of its nearness and tourist attractions.” The airline recently signed a code share agreement with Saudi Arabian Airlines that is expected to further enhance the needs of passengers heading to and beyond Cyprus, he added.

Saddik O. Attar, chief executive officer of Attar Travel - the general sales agent of Cyprus Airways, said the two organizations had their share of contribution in boosting bilateral trade and tourism.

Among the invitees were consuls general, businessmen and travel agents.

The national carrier of Cyprus operates to 30 destinations in the Gulf, the Middle East and Europe. It flies twice weekly from Jeddah to Larnaca via Riyadh and from Riyadh via Jeddah with A319 and A320 aircraft on Sundays and Thursdays.

Trident Hotel General Manager Chander Nain said the property with 216 rooms and suites would continue to host more food festivals including a three-day seafood festival from Aug. 30. The hotel, whose floorwise renovation is under way, has allocated three ‘exclusive corporate executive’ floors.