Our Marina Manager, Tom Lord takes a look back at the last 10 years since Limassol Marina opened to the public
What is one memorable moment that stands out to you from your time at Limassol Marina?
There’s so many. One would be when we first started welcoming customers after having completed the construction and preparation. Another is the memory of welcoming the first superyacht into Cyprus waters and into the Marina, which really demonstrated to everyone that the project had arrived.
What have you learned from working at Limassol Marina that you didn’t know before?
There are hundreds of lessons that I have learned in my 11 years working here. The biggest lesson is probably the importance of effective teamwork. The team that brought this project to life has been wide ranging across so many different companies and departments, bringing together so many different areas of expertise, and this is really what helped bring the project to the finish line – the way all these teams came together, the sense of pride everyone felt in their contribution, and the feeling that this project is something very special for Cyprus.
How do you feel about Limassol Marina reaching this 10-year milestone?
We’re all very proud. When we look back to where we began and where we are now, there has been real progression over the years – from construction to completion and delivery, to making sure that the infrastructure is all commissioned and then in operation, the continuous upgrades as the years go by, and the welcoming of community residents. So much has happened over the last 10 years, and we are now so close to full occupancy, which is a fantastic milestone for the Marina. It has also been the first stepping stone into the superyacht industry for Cyprus, so to be welcoming and hosting the boats that we have here always draws a sense of pride throughout our team.
What are you most proud of as you look back at the last ten years?
The resilience of this project. We’ve faced many challenges along the way – financial crises, the pandemic, and many others – but everyone always came together to ensure the project was a success. That, and the work everyone puts into establishing Cyprus as a new yachting destination in the Mediterranean, is something we are all very proud of.
What does Limassol Marina mean to you personally?
For me, this is a community that we have built from scratch. There are so many examples of this sense of community – both internally, in terms of the people who were involved in the creation of the Marina and the hundreds, if not thousands of people who contributed to the project, but also in terms of the communities that have been created as a result of the Marina. These include the yachting community, the Marina residents, the commercial tenants. We have really created such a fantastic, thriving community across the project.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
I love working with the people that we have on our teams. It’s awe-inspiring to hear great feedback from our customers and witness everyone’s commitment to delivering great service and making sure that everyone who sets foot in the Marina and in Cyprus has a great experience. It makes me feel immense pride at what we are achieving.
What emotions do you feel when you see the changes and growth over the years at Limassol Marina?
It’s a mixture of pride and happiness. What we’re seeing is a vision becoming a reality. Everything that was once a discussion of strategy and design and vision is now being realized through the steps we have taken, and the partnerships we have built, and we couldn’t have done it without the teamwork of both the Marina staff but also our partners in the industry. Everyone works together to make sure things are moving forward and continuing to grow.
Describe Limassol Marina in one word.
One word is not enough, but I would say ‘destination’ is the most apt descriptor for what we have created here. It’s a destination that brings together so many different parts: the yachting industry, luxury waterfront properties, commercial properties, local residents, tourists from abroad. All these people come together to this destination that we created.
What do you think people feel when they visit Limassol Marina?
A sense of being close to the sea, which has always been our objective. We wanted to break down the barriers people often felt when visiting a busy port or Marina, where being on the water felt unattainable. We wanted to make sure that anyone who visits Limassol Marina feels like they are a part of it and enjoys spending time in this environment.
What does a typical day look like for you at Limassol Marina?
My day begins at around 8 o’clock, when I meet with the team to plan operations, discuss upcoming tasks and making sure everything is organized in advance. I also meet with our customers to discuss requests, feedback, and to make sure that we are doing everything we can to accommodate their needs. After that I’ll spend time in the office with my team or liaising with other departments to ensure that everything is running smoothly, troubleshoot potential issues, and plan future investments and upgrades. I’ll also spend some time on the docks with our customers, or in communication with future customers about their contracts and, all the while staying in touch with my team throughout the day.
Do you have any memories from Opening Day?
My most standout memory is actually from our soft opening which took place the weekend prior to the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Nobody was informed about this soft opening, it was supposed to be just for us, but the hype around Limassol Marina was so big in Limassol and across Cyprus, that everyone was buzzing. People had seen the scaffolding come down, they had seen all the fantastic CGI images, and they were excited. So as soon as the doors opened that day, we had more than 25,000 people come through. It was completely packed, and all we could do was just watch with our jaws drop as people moved around this space in ways we hadn’t even thought possible. We got to work, making quick adjustments, making sure everyone was safe, testing our systems and staff, and it was such a great thing to see. It immediately demonstrated just how popular the Marina was going to be.
What are your memories of the first yacht arrival?
The first yacht arrival made us all tremendously proud and excited to begin offering these services and facilities that we had been planning and building for so long. So, when we welcomed the first boats, we obviously gave them a grand entrance and celebration upon their arrival, and we made sure the crew got the very best of what we had to offer. In turn, they helped us improve and continue to offer these excellent services to many others in the future.
What are your memories of the first superyacht arrival?
The arrival of the first superyacht in Cyprus’s first superyacht marina was celebrated across the island. It was Cyprus’s first step into this new industry, and it was new for all of us – from everyone here at the Marina to the local authorities, and it acted as a great example of how cross-party teams can come together to deliver a great experience to a customer like this.
Do you have any community stories to share?
We’re very proud of the number of community events we’ve been fortunate to have hosted over the years. These include community events in the Marina square, like events and concerts to support various causes and raise money for charity to which all of Limassol was invited, as well as events on the water that have included both amateur and professional regattas. These events are such a fantastic thing to have been a part of, and really demonstrate how the sailing and yachting industry can help contribute to the community and bring it together.
