The phenomenon of organizing excursions in the occupied areas by Greek Cypriots has taken on enormous proportions lately. Although travel agencies have the authority to organize one-day excursions to the occupied territories to prevent tourists from staying there, the situation has become more uncontrollable.This is because many individuals, Greek Cypriots and foreigners, taking advantage of the green line regulation, defy any moral law and see the organization of such excursions as a pure business activity.
These gentlemen distribute and post leaflets on beaches and tourist resorts in the free areas, in an effort to attract customers, Greek Cypriots and foreigners. A typical example is the sign placed on a beach in Limassol, which depicted the map of Cyprus accompanied by photos of monuments and holy temples located in the occupied areas.
In fact, taking advantage of the Russians' interest in pilgrimage to sacred temples, they also offer packages with… limousines.
The President of the CTO, Alekos Orountiotis, characterized the event as unacceptable. "We allow one-day trips for travel agencies, based on the green line regulation, but everything has its limits," he told Sigmalive.
He explained that travel agencies in Cyprus carry out one-day trips in order to prevent tourists from staying in the occupied territories, however, he stressed that in no case should this be the primary service offered.
He pointed out that the phenomenon is now gone, pointing out that CTO officials are already studying the issue, in order to determine its exact dimensions.
Source: SigmaLive