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Cyprus Sees Surge In Short-Term Rentals, Tourism Minister Says

The number of registered short-term rental properties in Cyprus has nearly doubled in under a year, rising from 4,765 in April 2023 to 8,248, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis announced.

Registration Boom And Regulatory Challenges

Speaking after a parliamentary committee meeting on 18 February, Koumis credited the surge to targeted awareness campaigns. With 1,275 applications pending approval and another 1,170 still incomplete, the number is expected to grow further.

However, the rapid expansion of short-term rentals is raising regulatory concerns. While the sector boosts the economy, it also competes with traditional hotels. The government is reviewing amendments to ensure balanced policies across different regions, from urban hubs like Nicosia to coastal tourist hotspots.

Record-Setting Tourism And Future Goals

Looking ahead, Koumis is optimistic about 2025, following a record-breaking 2024 in both arrivals and revenue. Cyprus has successfully rebounded from the loss of the Russian market, posting a 25% growth in tourism figures over two years.

The next challenge? Extending the tourism season beyond peak months to sustain momentum year-round.

Discovery of a New Dwarf Planet: Is Our Solar System Expanding?

A New Celestial Revelation: Meet 2017 OF201

In a groundbreaking astronomical discovery, researchers have identified a celestial body likely to be a dwarf planet far beyond Pluto. This thrilling discovery was made by astronomers from the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Dubbed 2017 OF201, this object is located over twice the distance of Pluto from the Sun, marking it as one of the farthest known bodies in our solar system observable through optical telescopes.

Key Insights

  • The object is approximately 700 kilometers in diameter, smaller than Pluto’s 2377 kilometers, yet it stands to be the largest found in the outer solar system in over a decade if verified by radio telescopes.
  • Classified as an extreme trans-Neptunian object, 2017 OF201 joins the ranks of other icy bodies circling the Sun beyond Neptune’s orbit. This region is now known to host other giants such as Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Gonggong.
  • Identified in a series of 19 observations over seven years, involving instruments like the Dark Energy Camera in Chile and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, this discovery sheds light on the unexplored corners of the solar system.

Why 2017 OF201 Stands Out

2017 OF201 boasts a unique orbit, with its aphelion over 1600 times the Earth’s distance from the Sun. Meanwhile, its perihelion is 44.5 times the Earth-Sun distance, parallel to Pluto’s path. Such an extensive orbit is evidence of a chaotic past, likely involving gravitational interactions with a giant planet.

Unveiling the Kuiper Belt: A New Frontier

Nestled within the Kuiper Belt, this object hints at the possibility of numerous similar celestial bodies lingering in this icy expanse, largely hidden due to immense distances. As telescope technology advances, the possibility of unveiling more about our solar system’s outermost fringes grows ever more achievable.

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