The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism are taking steps to attract more tourists from existing and new markets, in order to fill the gap left by the non-arrival in Cyprus of tourists from Russia and Ukraine.
On Friday afternoon, (4/3/2022) its Board of Directors PASYXE Famagusta met in a special session at the Museum "Sea" in Ayia Napa, in his presence Minister of TransportOf Deputy Minister of Tourism and Mayors of the free province of Famagusta, where the issue of impact expected to bring to the tourism industry of the region, the war in Ukraine.
Giannis Karousos: "Do not count tourists from Russia - Ukraine this year"
In his statements, O. Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Giannis Karousos he mentioned that "During the session, the views of the hoteliers were heard on how to deal with the crisis that has been created, because" as he explained "it is a body that knows very well, has the experience and can propose various measures, which we must listen and evaluate to see which ones can be implemented ".
He added that we have analyzed the hoteliers "Some ideas and suggestions that we have in mind, some are from the Ministry of Transport and others in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism." According to Mr. Caruso, "this year we should not expect to have tourists from Russia and Ukraine, there is a war and we must do everything possible to fill as much as possible" the gap that will arise, something which as he said "is not easy".
We must, continued Mr. Karousos "To see how we will bring passengers and create air connection and tourism with other countries. "We have been working very hard in the Ministries for a few days now to prepare some substantiated suggestions and even to go to the European Union and the European Commission and ask for some exceptions in the issues of state aid or some compensatory measures".
It is a given, he continued "That Cyprus is disproportionately affected in relation to the influence of other Member States of the European Union, due to the dependence we had and still have on the Russian market and the Ukrainian one which was an emerging market. "About 1,6 million passengers, arrivals and departures, have been lost and there are other markets that are expected to be affected by the war in Ukraine."
However, he said, the work done by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism "It has started to bring results and despite the fact that we are at war, we see that flights to new destinations are being planned." Already, he said, TUS Airways has announced that it plans to include flights from Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and other destinations, there is interest from airlines to increase aircraft at their base, while there is interest from large cruise ship companies that want to have as based in Cyprus. The Ministry of Transport, said Giannis Karousos "together with the other competent Ministries we will be ready, there will be an action plan which will enter into force as soon as possible, so that we can face the consequences of this crisis."
Savvas Perdios: "It will be a difficult year for tourism"
On the other hand, Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios characterized "A very difficult year for tourism in 2022" and added that "the losses this year from the Russian and Ukrainian market will be felt especially for the free province of Famagusta. The Ministry of Tourism will do everything it can to alleviate the situation, however it will be impossible to fully make up for these losses. "
He described the meeting as "useful" since, as he explained, together with the Minister of Transport, they will be invited in a few weeks to give their own views. "In terms of the support that the tourism industry in general, tourism and transport should receive. It is important for us to hear first hand the ideas of the people who will be affected by the situation so that we can convey the right messages to other competent Ministries. ".
Mr. Perdios also said that "The actions of the Ministry of Tourism have already begun, for enhanced marketing, for extraordinary collaborations with travel organizers and for extraordinary collaborations with airlines, which is a partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Transport."
The Undersecretary sent the message to all of Cyprus but especially to the free province of Famagusta that "The Ministry of Tourism will do the same now, as it stood by tourism during the two years of the pandemic."
Asked to discuss whether he is discussing any specialized measures for the free province of Famagusta, Mr. Perdios said that "PASYXE and the Mayors of the region put on the table their ideas, which we will convey to the special Committee that has been set up for this purpose and we will see accordingly."
Doros Takkas: "The gap amounts to 60%"
On the other hand President of PASYXE Famagusta Doros Takkas said that during the meeting they exchanged views on the problem facing the whole of Cyprus and especially the area of the free province of Famagusta and added that "We asked for the help of the Government, in three pillars, to be able to get through these difficult times".
Talk about help and support "Which we consider that we have the right to ask the European Union as a result of its actions, which we followed, without having a choice, since Cyprus as a small island was significantly affected in the tourism sector. We also ask the Government to support our region in order to be able to meet the needs of the time and not to have hotel bankruptcies ".
According to Mr. Takkas "The Deputy Minister of Tourism was also asked for a strong, strong and targeted campaign to the other markets in order to fill the gap and reduce, as much as possible, the damage resulting from the non-arrival of Russian-speaking tourists in our area. The gap is very large and disproportionate and amounts to 60% " write down.
Christos Zannetou: "Businesses will go bankrupt"
Ο Mayor of Ayia Napa Christos Zannettou reported that "The problem of the state of war between Russia and Ukraine was discussed, which significantly affects the tourism industry of the free province of Famagusta, since the Russian and Ukrainian markets represent 65-70%. "All economic activities in the region are based on the tourism industry and we can not afford a third year without tourism." he said.
He immediately continued "We call on the Government to evaluate and take the appropriate measures to support the province, as unfortunately we will have to deal with the chain effects of the war situation. "We are expected to see companies shaking financially, suspending their operations, possibly leading to bankruptcy and losing their assets."
According to Mr. Zannettou "Things are not easy at all and as for the Russian market we probably will not have any flight from Russia for 2022 and not only. "It is not yet clear when the war will end, the worst is yet to come in Russia, and with the currency devaluing, the cost of traveling for a vacation and the convenience it will have will be very difficult."
It is noted that during the meeting Savvas Perdios stated that the Ministry of Tourism is taking steps to attract more tourists from countries including the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Sweden and Hungary.
Famagusta.News with information from KYPE