Cyprus has quite a large leather industry. Leather comprises a large
share of the export market of the island and good quality belts, shoes and
bags can be bought at very reasonable prices. Leather goods are one of the
most popular items that tourists buy when they visit the island.
High quality leather bags and wallets, as well as leather jackets,
trousers and shirts in many different styles and other fashion
accessories, are on sale from the many leather shops situated all over the
island.
One important source of hide is Ostriches. M.E. Ostrich Farm has created
an ostrich park at Ayios Yiannis to attract residents and tourists.
It also has a licence to create an ostrich theme park in the Latsi resort
area, Paphos, This is seen as an environmental, educational and
entertainment project.
It will feature a three-dimensional movie on the ostrich and other bird
life, a train tour round the park to view the birds, a lake— "we have a
permit for crocodiles there" and a swimming pool and play areas.
Thousands of school children have already visited the Nicosia farm since
it's opening day. The programme includes a video presentation, and more
environmental projects are being prepared.
Situated on the Ayios loannis site of the 250-acre farm, on the Palechori
road out of Nicosia, the park consists of six acres of grass and trees
designed to resemble the ostriches' natural African habitat.
Visiting times for the park are Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays. Group
visits can be organised on other days. Entry fee is 1 pound. Children
under 16 are admitted free.
