After three decades of legal battles and bureaucratic obstacles, the campsite in Polis Chrysochou, Cyprus, is preparing for a revival. According to Mayor Yotis Papachristofis, a Cypriot investor has finally been found. Thanks to this investment, the facility will undergo a complete modernisation in line with contemporary standards, costing approximately €2.5 million.
A new lease of life for a popular tourist destination
According to the approved plan, the investor will have the right not only to manage the campsite, but also to maintain the adjacent municipal beach. This means that guests will be able to use sun loungers and parasols, and visit a new coastal restaurant.
The project includes constructing three modern sanitary areas, creating a mini-market and arranging parking spaces for motorhomes and tents, as well as generally improving the area. All of this should make Polis an even more attractive tourist centre in the Paphos region.
Investor support and terms of cooperation
The Polis Chrysochous Municipality intends to provide the investor with full support, including expanding the campsite and introducing the concept of glamping — a popular form of “glamorous camping” combining comfort with proximity to nature.
The total budget for developing and licensing the project is estimated at approximately €2.18 million plus VAT. The contract is for 30 years. Starting from the third year of operation, the investor will pay the city an annual rent of €151,500, increasing by 5% every two years. In turn, the municipality will transfer €8,000 per year to the Department of Forestry, which owns the land.
When will the renovated campsite open?
As the mayor noted, the contract with the Cypriot investor will be signed within the next 20 days. Construction work is planned to be completed as soon as possible, with the aim of welcoming the first guests to the renovated campsite in 2026.
A history spanning three decades
The campsite's history dates back to the 1980s, when it was managed by the municipality itself. Later, the facility came under the control of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), and in the 1990s it was in the hands of a private operator again. However, a series of legal disputes began in 1998 that lasted more than twenty years. It was not until November 2023, after a series of court cases, that the territory finally returned to municipal control.
The campsite remained closed for two years while the previous tender was unsuccessful. Today, however, there are realistic prospects for its reopening, and the new project promises to enhance Polis Chrysochous's tourist infrastructure.