The Ministry of Tourism will start contacts with airlines and travel organizers in November, with the aim of connecting Cyprus with foreign countries and the arrival of tourists for the new tourist season 2020-2021, Savvas Perdios said on Monday in a meeting with PASYXE Famagusta. .
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In statements after a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Pancyprian Hoteliers Association (PASYXE) Famagusta, which took place on Monday morning at the Museum "Thalassa" in Ayia Napa, Mr. Perdios noted that "the State Department shows particular sensitivity for the region , being one of the most important in Cyprus ".
He added that "because we were not lucky enough to receive tourism this year from countries such as Russia and Ukraine, the area of free Famagusta, which reaches 80% of these two markets, has been greatly affected. It is a given that the difficulties are there and today we are discussing those ways that will allow us to have a better tourist year next year ".
He added that "in order to have any positive prospects for 20-21, the preparation must start now. It is no coincidence that from mid-November onwards, the Ministry of Tourism will start teleconferences with airlines and tour operators for 20-21, but in order to be successful, we must have by then come up with a way to operate in the new year ".
According to Mr. Perdios "in order to have any claims, this should be the direction in which we operate and we will operate in the immediate future".
Asked whether there is a possibility for the Ministry of Tourism to treat the free province of Famagusta differently, given that it is the area most affected this year, Mr. Perdios replied that "what we say and I think we have all realized, is that the area that has been hit hardest by tourism. It is no coincidence that this is why we are working so hard. "
He noted that "we have to see how we will bring stability to the way the island operates. "In order for an airline or a tour operator to launch flights to Cyprus in March, some decisions must be made as soon as possible."
At the same time, he described this year as a "critical period for tourism" and added that "it will be a critical period in 2021 as well. As for the winter tourist season, it will not be easy, because the second wave of coronavirus in Europe is too big. and at the moment there are few markets available for Cyprus ".
We must, he continued, "keep a small basket. It does not mean that there will be tourist traffic to Cyprus, on the contrary, maybe as the weeks go by some things will improve ". He added that "the State Department will try to help with domestic tourism in winter, so that those who want to spend holidays and the holiday season in Cyprus can and at the same time give a boost to local businesses in the affected areas."
Asked to outline the steps to be taken, the Undersecretary of Tourism said that "the first step is the intention to extend the domestic tourism plan until the end of March, with a proposal to the Council of Ministers, which I hope will be approved. As for the second step, it is the arrangement of many teleconferences with airlines and travel organizers abroad, which will take place no later than the end of November ".
Until then, he continued, "it is very important for us to have a plan so that we can explain to airlines and tour operators how we expect to work with them in the coming tourist year."
According to the Deputy Minister of Tourism, "these are the two aspects on which we focus our attention. "Especially the aspect of the organizational part that concerns the airlines and the travel organizers, is very important, because if we do not achieve something like that, unfortunately the air connectivity of our country will suffer".
On the other hand, the President of PASYXE Famagusta, Doros Takkas, said that "in today's session, issues were discussed that have to do with the tourist year that passed us. However, we were more concerned with the next year, which is predicted to be difficult, and we examined ways in which we could all contribute to a better year than the one we had this year ".
He added that "the important message that comes out of this session is that immediately and as soon as possible, or at least not after November 15, we must send the message to the markets about what is to come for 2021 and especially to markets such as Russian and Ukrainian ".
He went on to say that "we hope that what happened this year will not happen next year" and noted that "both markets are asking for information from both the Ministry of Tourism and the hoteliers, so that they can proceed with their plans and programs for the next year ".
Answering a relevant question, the President of PASYXE Famagusta said that "unfortunately the consequence of what is happening is that winter tourism has been hit hard, to the point that there are only 1-2 open hotels in the whole area. Regarding the issue of air connection, we risk, with the way Cyprus operates in the issue of categorization of countries (to deal with the coronavirus pandemic), that there are no countries from which we can accept tourism ".
Asked if there is an emergency plan, Mr. Takkas said that "things are very difficult. I hope there will be mobilization and response, so that the data for some markets change, to facilitate them and above all to abolish category C, which kills any activity. "
Famagusta.News / KYPE