Revised visitor infrastructure plans for Akamas National Forest Park

The Cyprus Department of Forests has initiated a revised tender process for the development of visitor infrastructure within the Akamas National Forest Park. This project follows a significant period during which operations were frozen due to public and institutional backlash regarding previous design failures. The new plan aims to address historical mismanagement and chaotic visitor activity by centralizing services into six designated hubs, a reduction from the 14 originally proposed in the 2021 design.

The six service nodes will be established at Aspros Potamos, Avakas, Lara South Bay, Smigies, Baths of Aphrodite, and Fontana Amorosa. These sites will provide essential amenities including information stations, parking, sanitary facilities, shaded areas, and food services like canteens. The tender, which outlines strict operational and design constraints for contractors, is currently active and is scheduled to close on September 25. By concentrating visitors in these specific zones, the department intends to minimize ecological pressure and improve safety protocols.

This initiative marks a shift toward more controlled park management, responding to earlier criticisms of unorganized development. Authorities expect that these measures will provide a more sustainable framework for tourism in the region. The project remains ongoing, with the evaluation of bids following the September 25 deadline.