Parliament passes new legislation for the operation of recreation centers

On Monday, the plenary of the Cyprus Parliament passed a legislative proposal by DISY MP Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis regarding the establishment and operation of recreation centers. The proposal, which replaces the previous Law on Recreation Centers, was approved with 41 votes in favor and three abstentions after the government withdrew its own bill. The new law designates municipal or community councils as the competent authorities for issuing operating licenses, while granting the Minister of Interior the power to delegate these functions to district officers. A general register of licenses will be maintained by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, which is also authorized to conduct inspections and mandate corrective measures to ensure compliance with national tourism strategy. Establishments are now categorized into 'food and recreation' and 'entertainment' venues. Notably, the legislation does not alter existing operating hours for these establishments. The initiative aims to modernize the legal framework, improve competitiveness in the hospitality sector, and ensure public safety.