The number of bookings in hotels in Cyprus has decreased in the last week, due to coronavirus, Doros Takkas, President of the Pancyprian Association of Hoteliers of Famagusta (PASYXE), told KYPE.
In his statements and answering a relevant question, Mr. Takkas said that "March is a very critical month, if we are talking specifically about the Russian market since it is the month where most bookings are made. "The accident is that in the last few days the bookings have been" frozen "especially by the Russian market to an alarming degree, while there are also cancellations, since the people do not proceed to close their holidays".
He added that "the same is true for the UK market but also for other markets, to the point where major travel agents are concerned. In a conversation we had with them, the travel agents ask the hoteliers for generous offers in order to attract people to close this period, their vacation for Cyprus ".
Answering another question, Mr. Takkas said that "the situation is very fluid because we do not know how the market will move. In other words, we do not know if we will have a positive development, or if the situation will continue at the pace we have today, "he said, noting that" in such a case, the situation is very worrying. "
Asked whether the pressures exerted by travel agents on hoteliers can be implemented or not, the President of PASYXE Famagusta said that "agents ask for offers to make the packages even more attractive. We are responding as much as possible but we are not sure if this can reverse the situation as it is today. "
However, he continued "we do not know if it will bring the desired results, that is, to offer a tourist package 10, 20 or even 30% cheaper".
To another question, Mr. Takkas answered that "it will certainly benefit tourism" in case there is no case of coronavirus in Cyprus in the near future, noting, however, that "we must take into account some recent events that have panicked people. . "Among them is the suspension of major tourism fairs such as the ITB Berlin, a huge exhibition, which sent very negative messages to the industry."
People continued "he is worried and he definitely avoids traveling at this time, while he does not proceed to close his vacation, because he does not know how the situation with the coronavirus will develop. "This 'freezing' of the tourist market creates nervousness, which is transmitted to everyone," he said, noting that "it is very important that until today we did not have a case of coronavirus in Cyprus, but the situation from the countries from which people travel." to our island, is negative ".
Asked if the hoteliers would seek help from the government in the event of a coronavirus outbreak in Cyprus, he replied: "We are in the process of studying the measures we can take to address this issue, as we are facing an unprecedented event. "Next week, pan-Cypriot hoteliers will meet to discuss the ways and actions that need to be taken to address the coronavirus issue."
Certainly, Doros Takkas concluded "we will need the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism and the state, so that together, collectively we can see how we can cope with this difficult situation that has been created."
Famagusta.News / KYPE