The coming weeks will be crucial for the tourism sector for the rest of 2021, although existing indications are that traffic will be limited in both May and June, the Cyprus Tourism Business Association (STEK) said in a statement.
Lifting lockdown and accommodation of Cypriots
STEK states that the removal of the domestic lockdown is considered the first step for a gradual return to normalcy, especially in combination with the increasing rates of vaccination of the population in order to lead the domestic community to levels of immunity. Equally important is the vaccination as soon as possible of workers in the hotel and wider tourism industry.
We are very satisfied, it is noted, that from May 10, Cypriots will be allowed to stay in hotels, even under certain conditions at the beginning.
Inbound tourism
Regarding the incoming tourism, the lifting of the lockdown will surely be a positive development, as well as the recent announcements from the Ministry of Tourism that from May 10 Cyprus will receive a significant number of tourists who have been vaccinated.
Russian market
STEK especially welcomes the decision to accept tourists who have been vaccinated with the Russian Sputnik vaccine as this gradually reopens the Russian market, one of the most important for Cypriot tourism. However, a decisive factor is when the chartered flights from different regions of Russia, through which the largest number of tourists traditionally arrive during the summer months, will resume.
British market
At the same time, according to STEK, all tourism operators are waiting for the decisions that will be taken in the coming days in Great Britain regarding international travel. The information and publications in the British press so far want Cyprus to be placed in the "orange" category along with several other countries, however, it seems that some competing destinations such as Malta will be in the "green" category. If this is the case, it will take more time for this important market to open, as staying in compulsory isolation for 10 days, as provided for those returning from countries in the "orange" category, is a strong disincentive.
Already, polls conducted by the British media show that Britons who will travel, consider as a significant disincentive both the ten-day isolation and the need to conduct two PCR tests on their return home.
STEK hopes that Cyprus will be in the "green" category of Great Britain as soon as possible and certainly not after key competing destinations.
Scandinavian market and Central Europe
Data on the Nordic market and arrivals from Central European countries, according to STEK, are still difficult due to travel bans and the procedures required when returning citizens to their countries of permanent residence.
Particularly important is the fact that the cases detected at airports are minimal, about 4 positive per 5.000 tests. However, the reduction of cases remains a significant challenge in the community, the number of which is still alarmingly high.
The road back to normalcy is still long and STEK believes that it takes team effort and quick reflexes to gradually return to normalcy both in the tourism sector and in general.
Source: KYPE