Opens in a new tab

Breaking news

Sodap Endorses Coastal Lease Paving Way For Kanika’s Five-Star Hotel Investment

A Historic Shareholder Resolution

Sodap, the distinguished wine cooperative, has secured unanimous shareholder approval for a long-term lease of its prized coastal property in Kato Paphos. This decisive vote clears the path for Kanika to commence construction of a five-star hotel, marking a transformative chapter for both the organization and the region’s hospitality landscape.

Comprehensive Lease Agreement and Financial Terms

An agreement valued in the tens of millions of euros was finalized at the renowned Sodap winery in the Stroumpi–Polemi area, setting the framework for the lease of the beachfront plot at Kato Paphos. Under the terms of this 66-year agreement, Sodap is set to earn significant rental income, bolstering the cooperative’s financial sustainability.

For the initial 15 years, the cooperative will receive an annual rent of €800,000 with a 2.5% annual increase. Thereafter, from year 16 onward, the rent rises to €1.6 million per annum, similarly subject to a yearly adjustment of 2.5%. Additionally, an upfront bonus of €500,000 is slated for payment upon signing. The latter 33 years of the lease hinge on the tenant’s adherence to its financial commitments during the first half of the term.

Strategic Investments and Operational Realignment

Kanika’s commitment to invest an estimated €53 million in the construction of a hotel boasting at least 285 beds underscores the strategic importance of the lease. The strong turnout at the general meeting — with over 220 voting shareholders and only seven dissenting votes — underscores the consensus on the developmental direction of the property.

Addressing the meeting, Sodap’s new director, Yiangos Tsivikos, candidly acknowledged the serious financial and operational challenges facing the cooperative. He pointed to longstanding issues, including uncollected sums from partners and inadequate infrastructure, such as limited storage capacity. Tsivikos emphasized that immediate reorganization and resolution of these legacy challenges are vital to ensuring Sodap’s sustainable development.

Looking Ahead

This agreement not only initiates a significant revenue stream for Sodap but also represents a forward-looking investment in local economic vitality. As Kanika embarks on developing what promises to be a landmark hospitality project, industry stakeholders will be watching closely to assess the broader implications for regional development and financial restructuring.

EU Services Production Grows As Information And Communication Lead

Services production continued to expand across the European Union in August 2026, with information and communication recording the strongest annual growth. However, performance varied significantly between industries and member states, while Cyprus reported a mixed picture, with business services expanding and hospitality-related activities declining.

Information And Communication Leads Sector Growth

Compared with August 2025, services production increased by 5.9% in the euro area and 5.8% across the EU in information and communication. Transportation and storage also recorded growth, rising by 2.1% and 1.9%, respectively.

Real estate activities increased by 1.6% in the euro area and 1.1% in the EU. Professional, scientific and technical activities grew by 1% in both areas, while administrative and support services advanced by 1.1% and 1.3%.

Accommodation and food services was the only major sector to record an annual decline, falling by 0.1% in both the euro area and the EU.

The monthly figures were more mixed. Information and communication remained the strongest performer, increasing by 1.2% in the euro area and 1% across the EU. Real estate activities rose by 0.4% and 0.9%, respectively, while transportation and storage edged up 0.1% in the euro area but declined by 0.2% in the EU.

Administrative and support services recorded modest gains of 0.2% in the euro area and 0.1% in the EU. Accommodation and food services fell by 0.3% and 0.4%, while professional, scientific and technical activities declined by 0.8% and 0.9%, respectively.

Slovakia And Greece Record Strongest Annual Growth

Romania recorded the largest monthly increase in services production, at 5.2%, followed by Malta at 1.8% and Portugal at 1.7%. Luxembourg experienced the steepest decline, with output falling by 5.1%, followed by Bulgaria at 2.3% and Denmark at 1.9%.

On an annual basis, Slovakia led with growth of 10%, followed by Greece at 9.3% and Malta at 7.5%. Hungary recorded the weakest performance, with services production declining by 5.6%. Denmark fell by 5.3%, while Italy recorded a smaller decrease of 0.3%.

Cyprus Sees Growth In Business Services But Weakness In Hospitality

Cyprus’ latest figures show a similar divide between expanding business services and weaker hospitality-related activities. According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat), professional, scientific and technical activities recorded the strongest annual growth among the covered sectors in the second quarter of 2026, increasing by 3.4%.

Transportation and storage and information and communication both grew by 2.1%, while real estate activities rose by 1.6%. In contrast, accommodation and food services declined by 3.1% year on year, and administrative and support services fell by 2.2%.

First-half results were more favourable for several sectors. Between January and June, professional, scientific and technical activities grew by 3.5%, transportation and storage by 2.8%, real estate by 2.1% and information and communication by 1.3%.

Nevertheless, administrative and support services contracted by 1% over the six-month period, while accommodation and food services declined by 0.7%.

How Cyprus’ Figures Differ From Eurostat’s Data

The Eurostat and Cystat figures measure different aspects of economic activity and are not directly comparable. Eurostat’s services production index tracks changes in the volume of output, whereas Cystat’s Turnover Value Index for Services and Transport measures the value of sales at current prices.

The reporting periods also differ: Eurostat’s figures cover August, while the cited Cypriot data relate to the second quarter and first half of 2026.

Cystat transmits services production data to Eurostat but does not yet publish a separate national production index. Turnover figures therefore remain the main publicly available national indicator for the sector.

Taken together, the data point to continued growth in several of Cyprus’ business-oriented services, alongside persistent pressure on accommodation, food and administrative support activities.

Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Uol
eCredo

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter