Cyprus-Forum.com

[SKI-preo]

Has anyone read Marc Dubin's "Rough Guide to Cyprus"? Its colonial -anti Cypriot stance is quite shocking. It is one of these travel books which sees no problem recommending that tourists visit properties in Kyrenia like the Dome Hotel (Owned by refugees).

He seems to hate just about everything about Cyprus.He hates the food, the atmosphere and the people. For someone who hates Cypriots so much he seems to spend a lot of time in Cyprus. He does not offer constructive criticism, it is pure hatred and venom. If he hates Cyprus so much he probably should just piss off.

What is most upsetting is that someone like this has the power to get to a potential tourist before a travel writer who actually likes Cyprus.

I googled this prick. His view of Cyprus is that of someone who writes about the topic having spent much more time in places like Turkey and Greece. He regurgitates Turkish propaganda and comments on topics like constitutional law with no formal suitable qualifications except an Arts degree from a second rate uni. This seems to be something that most "travel writers" have in common.[/i]

[Linichka]

Read it, and I agree with you. The guy's a condescending snot-nosed asshole. His attitude towards Cypriots particularly is objectionable. Hopefully, any potential tourists reading this will understand how the facts are colored by his own opinion.

[frogeye]

Lets be honest here most of the tourists that come here from you know where find it hard to talk never mind read so i can't really see a problem.

[Its Me]

read it too. personally i think he is spot on, this place is full of shops with over inflated prices that offer sub standard items, including the food. and restaurants with prices set each season by the cartels {if you do not comply you are burnt to the ground} if you think that charging €11 euros for 2 coffees on paphos harbor is great then more fool you.
this summer will be the worst yet, with a huge dip in tourist figures expected yet again because of the out and out greed of the hoteliers and restaurateurs last season,
i could go on all night about the failings of how this island is run, but whats the point when their are people like you lot around forever willing to pay whatever they may feel like charging you today.

please don't bore me with your response of "well why don't you just piss of then if you don't like it here?"
i would rather cut off my ear than listen to your blinded drivel.

----still the weathers picking up----

[apc2010]

I agree, i work freelance in the tourist areas, cannot believe what SOME places charge for drinks, it is suicide commercially.Yet when you live here and go to "local" places " it is v reasonable...

[CBBB]

"well why don't you just piss of then if you don't like it here?"

[apc2010]

Tourism keeps paphos alive, do not kill the golden goose, if all the attitude was f**k off if you do not like it, tourism will die.I like living here but will not pay 6 euros a beer or coffee ..If you earn enough to pay this price please can i have a job!!!!

[Its Me]

i am a multi billionair but i still would not pay these prices.

[apc2010]

Thank you , i understand everyone needs to make a living but please be sensible, the tourists drink and not frappes, this is a big market use it...

[CBBB]

You must be talking about the London borough of Peyia, which is inhabited by pensioners who are members of the corrupt racist organisation the UKCA (even the BNP now allow foreigners to join)!

Accusations cast shadow on Paphos expat club

THE MANAGEMENT of a popular British-only club in Paphos have dismissed a string of accusations of financial mismanagement and bullying as being malicious and without foundation.

Responding to a series of online allegations made against the UKCA club, the chairman told Cyprus Mail that an unjust smear campaign had been directed at him and his collegues.

Online blogs accuse the club’s council of improper conduct, mismanagement and concealing missing funds - allegations that club officials say are flawed, spiteful and malicious.

“Our accounts are open for all to see, we have nothing to conceal. All of these accusations are totally and utterly untrue and are being posted by people who have been asked to leave the club,” said David Cornthwaite.

Cornthwaite said the claims of misconduct made against the club were a problem that threatened the very fabric of the association.

Former club treasurer David Illes, who documents his story on the internet, claims his membership was terminated because he questioned that illegal acts were being carried out.

He says that despite his attempts to work with other members of the council, he was expelled.

“They didn’t like me challenging some of the scenarios and trying to carry out an investigation to clear up matters, which I felt were important and involved money. As treasurer this was my responsibility,” he said.

Another disgruntled ex-member claimed she had, “become a target for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman’s pathetic game of character assassination,” adding that she had been labelled “bitch and loud mouthed trouble maker”, by a club council member.

One blog posts what is describes as “What is Missing so Far” – and lists cash, building materials and charity donations.

A former police officer, who was also expelled from the club, published a full account of his experience, questioning the very structure of the organisation.

“At present and as a result of some in-depth enquiries I openly admit that I have some outstanding issues with the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman over matters concerning the alleged misappropriation of various items of UKCA property and funds held in the UKCA balance sheets, together with other amounts previously paid to a Charity supported by the Club and actions which tend to prevent the membership access to information.”

Club officials say they are exhausted and upset at the accusations, which have been disseminated on to message boards, blogs and websites.

Emotions are running high on both sides, with accusations and counter accusations showing no sign of abating.

Both parties, the club’s chairman and council, and the ex members, produce reams of notes and ‘evidence’ to support their points of view, but some members feel the situation has got out of hand.

“I’m aware of what’s going on and I don’t want to get involved,” said one female member. “It’s really pathetic and isn’t good for the club.”

The parties involved have some common ground though as they both believe they have the club’s best interests and future at heart, but there is no sign of eliminating the “internal strife”.

Another member said: “The people involved need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. They exist in a bubble and seem to have lost sight of what’s gong on in the world

“There are far more important things to be concerned about and I find it very sad that this tit for tat - ‘he said, she said’ - childishness is going on.”

The club has recently tried to clean up its image, but has often been accused of attempting to retain the stuffy feel of the colonial era, with a membership policy which requires members to ‘owe sole allegiance to the British Crown’.

To protect themselves from the claims the club have had several of the websites taken offline, but with little success.

“We have managed to have some of the internet sites removed, but they re-appear somewhere else,” said Cornthwaite.

With those disgruntled ex members now being threatened with court action for libel, the situation has now become both sensitive and explosive.

One observer said: “Nothing short of a miracle would allow this group to work together in a productive manner.”

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/features/acc ... b/20100214