Cyprus upbeat over Russian tourists

Deputy Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios has received optimistic messages over this year’s tourist flows from Russia, the island’s second-largest market.

Perdios is in Moscow for the second time in just a few weeks to meet Russian officials, following his contacts with air carriers and tour operators.

“There’s widespread optimism in the Russian market for trips abroad and especially for Cyprus.

“We have always been among the top preferences of the market but especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Perdios told CNA.

Perdios has already briefed Russian tour operators and air carriers over Cyprus’ new entry protocol and incentive schemes approved by the European Union.

He also had contacts with the Russian Minister of Transport and the head of Russia’s Tourist Board.

He said tourist arrivals from Russia are already underway, with hoteliers reporting they never had Russian tourists in Cyprus this time of year.

Regarding his contacts with Russian officials, Perdios said he conveyed a request to recommend charter flights to Cyprus and the increase of scheduled flights from the country’s regional airports.

“These obstacles were in place last year; we asked the authorities to reconsider these two issues.”

Perdios said the Deputy Ministry briefed their interlocutors over Cyprus’ decision to accept the Sputnik and Sputnik light Covid vaccines and facilities offered to tourists such as free state quarantine if a tourist contracts Covid while in Cyprus.