"Lightning in the air can be described as the journalistic agitation from the recent unfortunate and unjustified reports about Cyprus' alleged involvement in the Middle East crisis" says the Pancypriot Association of Hotel Managers (PASYDIXE) and calls for "better management" of the issue. Publications related to security, if they are not dealt with correctly and carefully, can cause negative side effects and turn into a destabilizing factor for the economy, especially tourism demand, he adds.
The reports, it is stated, become fodder for the propaganda of the tourist competitors and are detrimental to the economy of Cyprus.
"Clearly the state had to take a stand and it was rightly emphasized by the PtD that Cyprus is part of the solution and not the problem. In addition, it is expected from the Press and Information Office, through a smart communication strategy, to put into effect de-escalation protocols, which prevent negative publicity and unsafe articles that are consequently transferred to the international press and the tourist markets of origin", it is added.
In a period where Cyprus began to find its pace from the pandemics and regional wars, continues the announcement of PASYDIXE "it would be very counterproductive to put, completely unnecessarily, geopolitical (in)security in the tourism equation".
At the same time, it is added, intelligent advertising is indicated so as not to affect the flow of bookings to Cyprus.
It is noted that the Press and Information Office as well as the Deputy Ministry of Tourism are expected to play a leading role in ensuring the effective and immediate de-escalation of reports and publications.
At the same time, the members of the association are invited to exercise their positive influence towards the travel organizers and their regular clientele to prevent negative associations that would endanger the tourism demand.
