Minister of Tourism and Environment, Fikri Ataoğlu is currently in London to attend the World Travel Market.
He told a press conference on Saturday that they will intensify their promotion activities in the UK with the aim of increasing UK tourist numbers to the TRNC.
Ataoğlu said that the TRNC is attending the World Travel Market in London this year, as it does every year, with its own stand. This is despite the embargoes imposed on the TRNC, the fact that there are no direct flights to the TRNC and the efforts exerted by the Greek Cypriot administration to prevent the participation of the TRNC in a number of international activities and events.
He added that they have intensified their activities and work in order to create new destinations.
Pointing out the importance of the British market, Ataoğlu also said that they attach great importance to the British market and announced that they will be increasing the “promotion budget with the aim of bringing more tourists to the TRNC from this market”.
“The British market is important for us. We will continue our contributions to tour operators for advertisements promotion activities in the next year. Next year when the tender law passes, we will increase our promotion budget and will be able to hold bigger campaigns”, Ataoğlu said.
Referring to efforts made to revive winter tourism, Ataoğlu said that the number of tourists visiting North Cyprus during the winter months has increased as a result of the positive outcome of the projects they had launched three years ago.
He added further that besides the ministry’s promotional activities, President Mustafa Akinci has also launched an initiative to lift the Greek Cypriot administration’s obstacles on those who arrive in Cyprus via Larnaca airport to visit North Cyprus. “I hope that the Greek Cypriot administration shows its good will regarding this issue”, Ataoğlu said.
Star Kibris
