Developments in the tourism sector continue to confirm that "2021 is evolving as negatively as 2020 due to the pandemic again and even the modest goal of achieving 40% of 2019 arrivals is uncertain whether it will be achieved," the Association said in a statement Cyprus Tourism Enterprises (STEK) noting that "the situation in the tourism sector is marginal."
He adds that "the uncertainty continues to be huge and the only fact is that July, the most important month in terms of arrivals, will move to low levels" taking into account the fact that Cyprus remained in the "orange" category of the United Vassilios, a development that in essence prohibits travel to our country ".
STEK President Akis Vavlitis, commenting on the developments in tourism in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, stated that "we await the decision of the British government to abolish the quarantine for the fully vaccinated, a development that may increase the number of British tourists to the island." in August and beyond ".
He added that "in relation to the British market, however, there is pressure from Germany and France to ban British tourists from entering the EU due to the increase in cases of the 'Delta' mutation in the United Kingdom."
Regarding other important markets, the President of STEK said that "professionals in the field are waiting for the developments in relation to the chartered flights from Russia and whether they will be allowed in the near future".
Regarding the Israeli market, "from which there were hopes months ago that we would have an increased number of arrivals, unfortunately the interest is again limited," Mr. Vavlitis continued.
STEK also expresses its concern about the situation that tends to be created on the island in terms of health in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, noting that "regardless of health status, in the hotel and wider tourism industry, the problem is constantly growing as pressures on the liquid "Many companies are huge and now for many companies it is a matter of survival."
"The data show that there is no other way out of continuing to support employees through the plans of the Ministry of Labor, while additional support is needed for companies in the sector to be able to survive," said the President of STEK.
He adds that "the large number of our unvaccinated citizens, the increase in cases, the indications of non-compliance with the measures and the insufficient controls for compliance with the protocols, create a problematic image which may have an impact both internally and in relation to the image that our country emits abroad ".
Mr. Vavlitis said that "unfortunately, in the tourism industry, the percentage of staff who refuse to be vaccinated is still very high" reiterating the position of STEK "that health is above all",
"Beyond that, however, if the situation in the health sector is not good, then the economy as a whole is directly affected and the indications that STEK receives from the market are such that in case there is another lockdown in the economy "A significant number of companies will not be able to withstand", noted the President of STEK.
Source: KYPE