The increase in bookings from European countries, including Germany, in free Famagusta compensates for the decrease in the arrival of tourists from Russia, according to the Famagusta Tourism Development and Promotion Company.
As the Mayor of Ayia Napa and President of the Famagusta Tourism Development and Promotion Company, Giannis Karousos, stated to KYPE, "this year the tourist season in the Famagusta free area started in mid-March and both this month and April went better than other years. We believe that April exceeded 60% of the bookings ".
Answering a relevant question, Mr. Karousos said that "it is expected that there will be a reduction in the arrival of tourists, especially from the Russian market, which can reach up to 50% of bookings. "Some of the reasons for this reduction are that the Turkish and Egyptian tourist markets have opened up, offering competitive packages, prices and significant discounts, while at the same time subsidizing every flight for tour operators."
Even the geopolitical developments in the region "have affected the detentions, since the Russia-Turkey relations have been restored, while the problem in Syria not only still exists but on the contrary seems to be worsening. "The Russian ruble also fell significantly against the euro, showing a decrease of 15-20%, with the result that this is also a reason for the reduction in holiday package bookings."
According to Mr. Karousos, "we are paying for the non-creation of a State Ministry of Tourism, since what we observe today with the reduction of the tourist flow, could have been avoided. "If there was a Ministry of Tourism, there would be a political leader who would anticipate what happened and is happening in our area and would take action."
He also explained that "the Ministry of Tourism needs to implement the tourism strategy according to which 6-7 million tourists a year can visit Cyprus who would spend 50% more money. At the same time, the tourism of Cyprus would be set up in such a way that we do not depend on the geopolitical developments and what is happening in our neighboring countries ".
Therefore, he continued "it is a given that this year there will be a decline in the arrival of tourists in Cyprus, however we still do not know how much this decline will be for the free province of Famagusta. Hoteliers will start discounting their prices and we expect that this measure will somewhat reduce the drop in arrivals ".
To another question, the Mayor of Ayia Napa answered that "the Russian market has helped a lot the tourism of Cyprus, but unfortunately various factors make it a market with ups and downs. But while we are losing tourism from Russia at the same time the big travel agent from Germany TUI starts flights, with 40 thousand seats, for the free region of Famagusta from April to November, balancing things a bit ".
Referring specifically to the tourist product from Russia, Mr. Karousos said that "this market has grown so much that everything about this country has an immediate impact on Cyprus. "We will have a reduction from the Russian market, but we will take the necessary steps that need to be taken, with all the strength we have so that there will be compensation for the arrivals of tourists from European and other markets."
The Cyprus Tourism Organization continued, "We must take action to organize a specific campaign to" sell "the positives of Cyprus, especially in the safety of visitors and to reach travel agents and airlines in order to help them compensate for any losses from the Russian market ".
In another question, Giannis Karousos said that "Cyprus can not compete with Turkey and Egypt since they can offer accommodation in a five star hotel with all inclusive for 25 dollars. But what we can put forward is the issue of security, the quality of accommodation, food and services and to solve specific problems that we faced in other years, namely noise pollution, visual pollution and barking.
Regarding the issue of "bad" tourists, he said that "some decisions have been made, a specific process has started, the travel agents have been informed, but it is something that will take some years, it will not happen overnight. "With the political moves that have been made and with specific actions that we have undertaken, tourist agents from various countries, including Germany, have been convinced that there is an upgrade in various sectors such as hotels, infrastructure, attractions and landmarks."
He added that "the decision taken by the Municipal Council to combat the phenomenon of 'bad' tourists played an important role in the selection of the free area of Famagusta and more specifically of Protaras and Ayia Napa, for the descent of tourists. "What we have started and will continue is to replace the 'bad' tourists with others who do not cause problems during their stay in Cyprus, a fact that was considered very important for travel agents and airlines."
Source: KYPE