Government and relevant bodies, are making efforts to increase the number of flights and seats from various countries in order to make up for a significant part of the loss of tourism from Russia and Ukraine, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Yannis Karousos said today.
Speaking in Paralimni and responding to a question, the Transport Minister said that "in terms of air connectivity and how much it has been affected by the war in Ukraine, it is now a fact that about two million seats that were available from these markets have been lost and efforts are being made to fill this gap from other markets[/B]."
It is, he said, "a process and some initiatives that have been underway both by the Ministry of Transport and by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism with whom we have excellent cooperation and we have taken the initiative and have seen almost all the major airlines to see what is needed so that we can convince them either to increase their flight programme or to strengthen some that are based in Cyprus to strengthen their base with additional aircraft".
Karousos added that "we believe we can make up for a significant part of the loss we will have from Russia and Ukraine. The flights are there, the markets are there and it takes a collective effort, both from the government and from the tourism operators, so that we can increase the occupancy of the remaining flights and seats that are available because there are options."
Giving an example, the Transport Minister said that "in 2019 we had 150 destinations available to and from Cyprus. In 2021 we managed to have 158 and that was after the Coronation, which means that there is proper work and planning and we will do everything possible to fill this gap."
He reiterated that "there is a collective effort" and noted that "we as a government will do what is needed either to ensure that there is available connectivity and from then on everyone will do their part so that these flights have a high occupancy rate."
For his part, Mayor of Paralimni Theodoros Pyrillis said that "this year is expected to be a strange year for tourism according to the data we have today. There is an increased interest from the English market and Central European countries for tourism in Cyprus," he said and expressed thanks to both the Minister of Transport and the Deputy Minister of Tourism "for the efforts they are making so that there is accessibility in Cyprus."
Mr. Pyrillis also urged "hoteliers to show some restraint" because as he explained "in case the war does not become generalized I believe that we will be able to continue and have a very good pace in our tourism development, which I believe will happen for Protaras next summer and the following years".
"The upgrades that have been made have now brought the place to a level where it is now sought after by foreigners to come here for their holidays," he said.
He also noted that "we have managed to raise the standard of living of visitors visiting Agia Napa and Protaras" and added that "a little restraint is needed."
"Some panic actions will not benefit the place, but we should all together collectively try to deal with the problems, especially the problems that some hoteliers are facing probably with the banks," he noted.
We should continue "all together to give the hoteliers some more time because I personally believe in very promising conditions in the next period of time and in the future. The future belongs to us and the comments we hear from tourists are that they are putting Cyprus, Protaras and Ayia Napa in their hearts and as soon as conditions allow them they want to visit our place."
Pyrillis also said that "we have a diamond in our hands which previously was rough and now we have processed it so we have become a very attractive destination." "Let us believe in ourselves and our strengths so that the future belongs to us," he said, noting that any "hasty actions are likely to kill all the effort we have made over the past years. We should all think of the forest and not the tree," he said.
The Mayor of Paralimni also made reference to the issue of the transfer of minors from Pournara to a hotel in the free province of Famagusta and sent a message to "all those in charge, because some people are thinking of turning some lodgings, either in Protaras or Ayia Napa, into places of accommodation for migrants, to pass the message down to them."
"Protaras and Ayia Napa will not become Pournara and get it out of their minds," he concluded."
Source: CNA
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