The two-time Olympic medalist Pavlos Kontides and the CEO of Ayia Napa Marina, Stavros Caramondanis, discuss the collaboration that enhances maritime tourism and sports culture in Cyprus and beyond. Their love for the sea and shared dedication to excellence are central to this interview, demonstrating how this partnership serves as an ideal model of synergy, benefiting both the sports and tourism sectors of the country.

Stavros Caramondanis, CEO of Ayia Napa Marina

Mr. Caramondanis, what are the key aspects of your collaboration with Olympian Pavlos Kontides, and what led you to this decision?

There are many reasons, but they are primarily linked to his personality and temperament, as well as his athletic stature and history. Undoubtedly, his connection to the sea, which forms the basis of our collaboration, is of particular importance. Both we and the broader Cypriot society hold Pavlos Kontides in high regard — on and off the water — for his love of the sea and his dynamic, dedicated, and hardworking nature, qualities that have brought him to where he is today. In many ways, these traits also characterize our team and organization. As such, this partnership is both ideal and significant.

It would be remiss not to mention that Pavlos has shown he deserves every bit of support from his sponsors and the broader community, evidenced by his second major athletic success in Paris 2024 and the recent honorary event held in his name. Rather than dwelling on the magnitude of his success, Pavlos chose to express gratitude and thank everyone for their support. Once again, he demonstrated that he deserves recognition, first and foremost, for his excellent character and, second, for his unique athletic achievements.

What is the shared vision and philosophy between you and Pavlos Kontides?

As I mentioned earlier, our love for the sea is mutual and unquestionably the first element that unites us. At the same time, we share and align our efforts to promote maritime tourism and establish Cyprus — specifically Ayia Napa — as a nautical hub. It’s worth noting that our collaboration with Pavlos, which extends until 2025, will undoubtedly become more dynamic and multi-dimensional, particularly in terms of visibility and in enhancing corporate social responsibility initiatives and contributions to the broader community.

Ayia Napa Marina is an ambitious, multi-award-winning project and an international tourist destination. How does the partnership with a world champion like Pavlos Kontides contribute to the promotion and development of the marina?

The selection of Pavlos Kontides — as an athlete, personality, and most importantly, as a person — is no coincidence. Through his conduct in sports and life, Pavlos delivers and promotes messages of athletic excellence, education, resilience, perseverance, and commitment to goals. While I haven’t focused much on his medals and athletic accolades so far, although they are equally important, I aim to highlight that the journey and the process of reaching the destination are of exceptional significance. Our journey shares common characteristics, and the messages we convey reflect our way of life, characterized by dedication, excellence, resilience, perseverance, and commitment to our goals. These are just some of the shared values between Ayia Napa Marina and Pavlos.

In summary, we already feel like winners, as Ayia Napa Marina proudly sponsors the only Cypriot athlete with two Olympic medals. We also hosted a unique event in his honor for his recent Olympic success and the announcement that he will continue to compete in 2028! The “raw materials” of this collaboration — Ayia Napa Marina’s world-class facilities and Pavlos Kontides, a Cypriot athlete of renowned value — ensure the creation and implementation of more unique and highly successful joint ventures.

Finally, what is your vision for the future of Ayia Napa Marina, and how do you see your collaboration with Pavlos Kontides contributing to that?

Our vision revolves around excellence, providing high-level services for all stakeholders, and continuous evolution on both personal and corporate levels. Additionally, we aim to increase public awareness of Ayia Napa Marina, its services, product portfolio, commercial zone, and entertainment and leisure options. All of us at Ayia Napa Marina see Pavlos as the ideal ambassador for our efforts toward international success and in promoting Ayia Napa Marina and Cyprus as one of the top maritime destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean. This is, after all, the essence of our vision at Ayia Napa Marina.

Pavlos Kontides

How important is it for you personally and professionally to collaborate with such a highly awarded and internationally recognized venue as Ayia Napa Marina?

It is crucial for any athlete to have partners who support them through both good and tough times, and Ayia Napa Marina is one such partner. Moreover, our shared love for the sea and sailing connects me with Ayia Napa Marina and its people. It’s important for me to travel the world’s seas, proudly displaying on my sail one of the most significant and internationally recognized brands from my homeland.

What values and vision do you share with Ayia Napa Marina, and how do they help you represent it?

The dedication to excellence, continuous progress, and the ongoing effort to reach new heights internationally, despite the small size of our country, are shared values across all fields. Our common vision is, of course, the development of sailing in Cyprus and the attraction of top sailors and major international sailing events. Ayia Napa Marina’s facilities meet all the necessary standards, and I believe that, with consistent effort and collaboration with all relevant public and private bodies, we will achieve this goal.

What advice would you give to young athletes who dream of representing Cyprus at the Olympic Games?

It’s important in life, whatever we do, to set goals and remain focused on them. Persistence and immense patience are required to achieve these goals, and hard work is essential. The path may be difficult at times, but when you love what you do, I’m confident that success will follow. I believe Cyprus has many talents, not only in sailing but in other sports, and for the upcoming Olympic Games, we could have more representatives. This is, after all, the goal of the Athletic Responsibility program that my team and I are implementing, which supports young athletes in realizing their dreams.

What are your favorite aspects of Ayia Napa Marina that make it special both for you and its visitors?

Ayia Napa Marina offers top-notch facilities for boats, both in and out of the water, and provides all necessary amenities for their owners. Additionally, it offers high-standard accommodation, dining, and sports facilities, as well as beautiful beaches, making it an ideal destination, whether someone wants to spend the day or enjoy a vacation by the sea. Recently, I spent a few days there with my family, and I must say that both my wife and my son can’t wait to return.