Definitely lost, this year's tourist season is characterized by agents and hoteliers of the province of Famagusta, seeing the dimensions that the pandemic pandemic is taking on worldwide.
The forecasts, according to the President of PASYXE of Famagusta, Doros Takkas, according to a report in the Morning Route in the Third Program of RIK, are ominous, while it is not excluded that the hotels will not open at all this year.
The current situation, says Mr. Takkas, leaves the tourism industry on hold. Even if the hotel units open, this will not happen earlier than mid-June, as predicted by the most optimistic thinkers, while there are those who consider that a large part of the hotels may not be able to open, as their operation is unprofitable if the fullness is not great.
In addition, many hoteliers are reluctant to open their units before the pandemic has completely subsided, as Mr. Takkas explains "in the event of a case as long as an open unit is quarantined and should be relocated. customers in other accommodations "
At the same time, the spread of the pandemic around the world, and the "decimation" of countries that have traditionally been tourist reservoirs for Cyprus, such as Britain and Russia, have heightened fears that the effects could spread throughout the season.
As expected, no reservations are made at this time while cancellations increase as long as the quarantine is extended.
According to Mr. Takkas, the tour operators, with whom the hoteliers are in daily contact, are also concerned.
"Even if the borders are opened and air routes are restored, it is a big question mark how many tourists will book at some point by the end of the year. That's because, according to tourism entrepreneurs, both travel and trust will take a long time to recover. "
At the same time, Mr. Takkas believes that domestic tourism will be an important injection, however it cannot support the hotel industry.
"Being closed has a cost," said the president, "but being open without people has a higher cost. "Maintaining the infrastructure operational is the priority at the moment and not to make hasty moves that will endanger in 2021".
The support of tens of thousands of workers in the industry is considered to be of paramount importance, concludes Mr. Takkas, but also the support to hoteliers as well.
Source: Breakfast Route, RIK / Despina Pourekkou