Cyprus is at a disadvantage vis-.-Vis competing tourist destinations, according to the Association of Tourism Enterprises (STEK), adding that the only solution is strict controls and vaccination to stop the situation.
According to an announcement by STEK, the developments of the last few days show in the most obvious way that the course of the tourism sector, one of the pillars of the Cypriot economy, is directly and fully correlated with the epidemiological situation of the country, adding that in the climate of great uncertainty already prevailed, the rapid deterioration of epidemiological data was added, as well as the increase in hospitalizations of patients with coronavirus.
"These are developments that have led to emergency measures by the government, noting that at the same time, the negative developments are being transferred directly abroad as a result of the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and private sector companies to attract tourists," he added. they become even more difficult, especially when in other competing Mediterranean destinations the epidemiological data are presented much better ".
In this regard, STEK points out that the consequences are now evident both from the cancellations of reservations and from the concern officially expressed by the major travel organizers. Indicatively, he notes that for weeks they had expressed their concerns about the health developments and the effects that they would have on the image that the country emits abroad, and unfortunately the facts once again confirm them.
Under these circumstances, the association's announcement continues, "any positive signs went to show (differentiation of requirements for vaccinated Britons returning from" orange "category countries, increase of interest from France and Germany and other countries, stabilization of arrivals from Russia) , are overturned ".
Citing data from the Statistical Service, in the period January-May 2021, STEK reports that arrivals were reduced to 156.825 and were reduced by 36.4% compared to the corresponding period of 2020. Compared to the same period of 2019, the decrease jumps to 86 % (1.121.361).
With the first seven months of the year being considered lost for the tourism sector and the situation for the rest of the tourist year being characterized by huge uncertainty, it is clear, STEK adds, that hotel and other businesses in the sector will need additional support for to survive, as for the second consecutive year they are burdened with great losses.
The employees of the sector are in a similarly difficult position, who should continue to be supported. STEK notes that it has already contacted the Minister of Labor on the issue and intends to soon present to the Minister of Finance the need for further support of companies in the sector.
Given that a new lockdown would be disastrous for the economy, STEK once again addresses "a call to our fellow citizens to be vaccinated as it is the only solution to limit the spread of the virus and curb hospitalization."
At the same time, the competent state authorities should make sure, the announcement continues, that the protection measures are applied to the fullest, especially in the areas where the congestion is intense and from which, according to the experts, the large transmission chains start.
The Tourism Business Association notes that we all need to realize that the virus "will not go on holiday" and will not magically disappear.
It also sends the message that every day the World Health Organization warns that mutations are continuous and therefore we should not be complacent. We must, on a personal and professional level, adapt to the new data. Possibly, this adjustment, if done correctly and quickly, will be our only differentiation from competing destinations, STEK concludes.