Illegal Massage Services on Beaches – Interior Minister Denounces

The Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, has denounced that some municipalities in Cyprus are illegally issuing licenses for massage and spa services on beaches. According to an article by Michalis Chatzistylianou in the newspaper «Politis», these licenses are issued under Article 59 of the Municipalities Law, which concerns the peddling of goods and not the provision of services.

The Minister's letter was in response to a question from AKEL MP, Nikos Kettirou. Konstantinos Ioannou stressed that the provision of services on beaches is regulated by Article 5Γ of the Beach Protection Law, which does not include spa or massage services.

According to the Union of Municipalities, the municipalities of Amathounta, Dromolaxia-Meneou, Ierokipia, Kourion, Limassol, Paphos and Ayia Napa have not issued such licenses. The Municipality of Akamas granted one license in Coral Bay, while the Municipality of Larnaca granted two licenses in Foinikoudes and Mackenzie.

The Ministry of Interior is in consultation to revise the Beach Protection Law, with the aim of introducing stricter regulations.