As the preparations for the opening of the controlled crossing point in the occupied areas of the Deryneia roadblock progress, so does the daily feeling of concern of small and medium-sized enterprises in free Famagusta for the effects of this development.
Speaking to "F" and commenting on these concerns conveyed to our newspaper by businessmen from Ayia Napa and Protaras, the provincial secretary of the shopkeepers of POVEK Famagusta, Maria Moleski - Hadjichristou, stressed that the organization fully shares them. It is a fact, Ms. Moleski stressed, that in case the roadblock of Deryneia is opened for a number of reasons, it will automatically create a big problem of sustainability of the tourism industry in Ayia Napa and Protaras, while there will also be consequences in the rest of the retail activity of the wider region.
He added that the Deryneia roadblock is very close to the two tourist areas and this will further facilitate the easy access of tourists to the occupied territories. The Government, he stressed, should take this issue very seriously and not jeopardize the viability of the largest tourist city on the island, which is Ayia Napa, but also the neighboring Protaras, which is one of the largest tourist areas in the country. .
Unfortunately, Ms. Moleski continued, without opening this roadblock yet, there are documents that saw this week and the light of day that there is now an organized industry to send large numbers of tourists from Ayia Napa and Protaras to the occupied territories through it. roadblock of Strovilia. Information and issues that are not only confirmed by POVEK Famagusta, but also monitored and denounced for years, without being taken into account by those in charge.
With the Deryneia roadblock in operation, tourists will be in occupied Famagusta in 15-20 minutes from Protaras and in 20-30 minutes from Ayia Napa. For coffee, for food, for shopping. "Imagine what happened. We call on the Government and the parties to be vigilant and the small and medium-sized businesses of the region to be vigilant in order to defend the future and the viability of their businesses ", the POVEK representative added.
Different data
Complaining that there are organized Greek Cypriots cooperating with Turkish Cypriot shopkeepers, restaurant owners, nightclub owners, etc. to which tourists are transported from free Famagusta for a percentage of sales, Ms. Moleski explained why the tourism industry in the area is at risk from the opening of the Deryneia roadblock:
- Thousands of monkey products with brands of international clothing, footwear, perfumes, etc. are circulating in the occupied territories. which are sold freely and much cheaper than the Republic of Cyprus and other European countries.
- In the occupied areas the catering sector of restaurants etc., as well as food production, is not subject to the same strict health standards as in Cyprus and Europe and therefore the cost is normally lower than in the free areas.
- In the occupied areas the raw materials for food production are comparatively cheaper than in free Cyprus and this intensifies the difference in prices of food and services, always in relation to free Cyprus.
Victims of defamation are the victims
Speaking of several dozen people involved in the tourist sewer circuit from Ayia Napa and Protaras to the occupied territories, Ms. Moleski denounced an orgy of unprecedented defamation of the image of Cyprus to many thousands of tourists every day to persuade them to go to the occupied territories.
We learn from tourists, who tell our members, that these people tell tourists unacceptable in style and ethos arguments against us as entrepreneurs, but also of our people more broadly. Such as e.g. "In Ayia Napa and Protaras, the shops are thieves and swindlers. They are stealing from you. " "But are you crazy about eating frozen fish in Ayia Napa and Protaras, since you can eat fresh and cheaper in Famagusta or Kyrenia?"
"For many reasons, we are not given the opportunity to denounce these unacceptable phenomena against us by our other compatriots. We hope that these will reach the decision-making centers, but also the public opinion for reflection ", Ms. Moleski also stated in a strong style. "Our compatriots shamelessly expose us as thieves and unreliable businessmen. At the time when millions of euros of the citizen are spent every year to bring tourism to Cyprus, here in Famagusta these things happen. And it does not have a state, a service, a ministry, a Parliament, to listen to us, to support us. To help us and Cyprus ", he concluded, always speaking in complete despair. She added that she had "never imagined in her life that she would hear such words from Greek Cypriots about their compatriots".
They gather from everywhere
Encouraged by the businessmen in Protaras, they spoke to "F" yesterday about the fierce competition between taxi drivers and small bus owners who are literally besieging beaches, hotels, squares and public busy areas in Ayia Napa and Protaras, sometimes urging them, even loading go for entertainment and shopping in Famagusta or Kyrenia, Rizokarpaso etc.