Tourism chiefs “have missed the train”
North Cyprus tourism is not doing enough to promote a virus-free destination and is falling behind neighbouring countries in the coming battle to attract tourists, it was claimed last night.
A tourism leader slammed the government for ‘failing’ to promote the Covid-19 success story of North Cyprus to the British media – despite an aggressive campaign by other countries including Malta, Greece and South Cyprus.
Cyprus Paradise owner Muhammet Yaşarata, who is also president of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce (UK), said they had 14,000 people book package holidays during the peak tourism period, who are now bombarding the company with questions about when they will be able to take their North Cyprus holiday.
Mr Yaşarata said: “We have a lack of initiative from the TRNC government to promote the Covid-19 success story of the TRNC – one of a very few countries in the world that has successfully stamped out the virus.
“We are good at marketing this to ourselves, but are missing the train for a timely promotional, widespread tourism campaign to tell the UK and European countries, that North Cyprus is Covid-19 free and has been free for over a month, making it one of the safest destinations on the planet.”
Mr Yaşarata added: “South Cyprus – which continues to have Covid-19 cases – is advertising across UK media that they will foot the bill for any tourist who contracts the virus.
“Malta is continuing to advertise ‘wait for us’ ‘we are coming’ sort of promotional campaigns. Greece has opened its doors to tourism.
“North Cyprus is not only neglecting any meaningful campaign or plan that gives an indication as to when it could allow people to fly there – it will not capitalise on this opportunity and will come in the back of the queue of countries. All we want is some clarity, and a promotional campaign . . .to promote its current success internationally,” he said.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said: “Many Mediterranean destinations like Northern Cyprus are keen to reopen and restart tourist services, but even if British holidaymakers are welcomed back, travel will only recommence once the Foreign Office changes its travel advice, which currently advises against all but essential travel to all overseas destinations.
“We anticipate that when this happens it will release a massive pent up demand for holidays which for many of us are an essential part of our lives.”
Cyprus Turkish Travel Agents Union head Orhan Tolun – referring to the opening of hotels on Monday, said: “It is important to turn the crisis into an opportunity. The effects of Covid-19 felt across the globe have also impacted on North Cyprus – and after two months the virus ceased to exist with no reports of positive cases.
“This makes North Cyprus only one of a very few countries in the world that has successfully done this. The country is a secure country to holiday in from a health perspective. We recently met the Tourism Minister [Ünal Üstel] who stated that their plans were first to allow for tourism from Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side, followed by European countries.”
Cyprus Turkish Hoteliers’ Union head, Dimağ Çağıner, called for a start of flights to Ercan airport between June 15 and July 1.
“Our hotels are opening. All preparations have been done and all hotel staff have received the necessary training,” he said.“There is a need to determine how tourists will be able to arrive: Will they only need a medical certificate that shows they are Covid-19 free? Or will that test be conducted in the TRNC, or their country of origin? How will this medical passport be allowed?”
Referring to flights from the UK, Germany and France, Mr Çağıner said: “When flights from these countries resume, health measures will need to be taken for tourists.”
Earlier this month, the Government had announced “stages” to allow people to come to the country. The first phase – which comes into force this Monday – will allow TRNC nationals abroad to return. The second phase will allow TRNC nationals who do not reside in the TRNC to come. The third phase will allow students and those with work permits or similar (residency etc) to return.