Tourist reservations in hotels within the occupied areas have seen a significant increase of 27%, with a simultaneous boost of 50% in revenues for these establishments in 2023, according to data presented during a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Trade.
Representatives from the Self-Catering Accommodation Association highlighted that the cost of staying in tourist accommodations in the occupied territories amounts to €120 per night.
They emphasized that the contracts tourists sign when booking accommodations in the occupied areas state that they are on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to convene a meeting to discuss the matter soon.
Deputy Minister for Tourism Kostas Koumis stated that when travel organizers planning trips to the occupied areas are identified, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is promptly informed.
He noted that over the years, the presence of representatives from the occupation administration in exhibitions abroad has become more pronounced.
“There were representations in 2019 with representatives of online platforms, and the Republic received the response that they would not stop providing services for the occupied territories,” added Koumis.
Marios Polyviou of the Pancyprian Association of Tourist Enterprises (PASYXE) suggested that when tourists search through online platforms, they should receive recommendations and information that the tourist accommodations are located in the occupied areas.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that this is a significant issue, and steps are taken through directives.
Regarding the Booking.com platform, it was mentioned that representations were made through the Cypriot embassy in The Hague, resulting in a small text being included on the platform stating that hotel accommodations are in the occupied areas.
