|
Post by tileiohmaleas on Feb 23, 2008 20:24:01 GMT -5
Miscalculations, image hit tourism in N. Cyprus Thursday, January 10, 2008 Tourism in Turkish Cyprus needs a new strategy that leaves gambling aside. The pillar of the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus’ economy, tourism, is on shaky ground. In recent months 24 hotels have closed down and 2,000 people have been let off. Around 50 hotels will close down after New Year’s Eve. Northern Cyprus Hoteliers Association Chairman Turhan Beydaðlý says an immediate strategy should be adopted in order to create an image of Cyprus as a country of universities and tourism ÝSMAÝL YANMAZ ISTANBUL - Referans Investments in new hotels, which have been booming in Turkish Cyprus for the last three years in the hope that the United Nations mediated plan to find a lasting peace on the divided island will be accepted, are facing serious trouble. The tourism sector in Turkish Cyprus is in serious crisis with 24 hotels closed and 50 more on the brink of shutting down. The rejection by the Greek Cypriots of the U.N. mediated peace plan is not the only reason behind the optimistic expectations for the tourism sector not materializing. The continuation of the isolation of the island despite promises from the European Union that sanctions will be eased, coupled with insufficient marketing are also considered reasons for the crisis. Around 2,000 people were laid off, as occupancy rates did not even reach 30 percent, last summer. “Tourism suffered a lot due to many mistakes made one after another. And the sector will collapse unless a new strategy is developed leaving aside gambling,” said Turhan Beydaðlý, chairman of northern Cyprus Hoteliers Association. Gambling is legal in northern Cyprus. When Turkish Cyprus voted in favor of the United Nation's plan called the Annan Plan the construction and tourism sectors experienced a boom. Yet, they have been going through troubled times lately. The buildings initially planned for sale to the British remain unsold. The hopes for direct flights between Ercan Airport and destinations in the U.K. have faded away. Although the total number of beds rose sharply, the occupancy rate is only 44 percent for hotels with casinos and 30 percent for those without. Beydaðlý said problems in the construction sector also affected the tourism sector. “Tourism regions are filled with incomplete hotel constructions. Such a sight does not befit a tourism center. The south of the island receives three million tourists annually and the average accommodation period is 11 days. We receive 300,000 people, who visit only the casinos on weekends. There are new facilities. But they shared a piece of the current pie in the market rather than creating a new market.” Beydaðlý also criticized the fact that the hotels appear in the tabloid press. “It was thought that having some artists over at the hotels as a promotion would help the business. We became a derogatory topic in the tabloid press. Mafia settling in the casinos badly hit another source of income – the universities – as well as tourism. Families do not send their children because of the bad image and costliness. Even the universities now lack students.” Gamblers instead of tourists: Turkish Cyprus Chamber of Commerce Chairman Hasan Ýnce said the worst mistake was made in the marketing strategy. Unqualified staff were used in expensive and poor quality services. Ýnce said instead of normal tourists the marketing strategy had gamblers as a target audience, adding, “a normal tourist cannot get a one-week reservation. Weekdays are not sold, because gamblers book for the weekends. This led to a bad image. Gambling is not a priority for Cyprus tourism. It is time we started marketing Cypriot history, nature and culture. We can hold promotion campaigns in Turkey's busiest airports on the Aegean and Mediterranean coastline for foreign tourists. The primary obstacle before tourism is transport which should be subsidized by the state.”
|
|
|
Post by tileiohmaleas on Feb 23, 2008 20:28:26 GMT -5
""The tourism sector in Turkish Cyprus is in serious crisis with 24 hotels closed and 50 more on the brink of shutting down""
""Although the total number of beds rose sharply, the occupancy rate is only 44 percent for hotels with casinos and 30 percent for those without""
Thats gotta hurt. You guys sat their spewing out so much BS about how good things are going, you forgot that people that have eyes also have brains.
Talking is up so much and saying how much your all laughing and loving life in the north, then turning around the week after and begging for money from the EU whom you so much highly dislike.
Telling us that your people are enjoying life in the North then having your leaders come out and say international embargoes are ruining his 'country'.
You guys are always talking and telling, actions speak louder than words, and rememebr whenevr the world sees your leader coming out and saying embargoes are hard on him and his people, that makes you all look like liars.
|
|
|
Post by yahadj on Feb 23, 2008 23:16:48 GMT -5
The fact is that it's been 30 years since the embargos started. Nobody can expect great developement in that country. However, it is amazing how they are still holding on. They must have someting to hold on in order to be able to take the suffering. Is it only the Turkish aid that makes them survive? Or it is their love for their identity. Their pride and faith? While you are laughing at them I'd prefer to praize their bravery and scarifice. This is suffering for a noble cause. As the time goes, may Allah give them strenght and reward their efforts. Amin.
|
|
|
Post by depletedreasons on Feb 24, 2008 2:13:30 GMT -5
Excellent points, Yahac. You hit the nail on the head.
|
|
|
Post by Kassandros on Feb 24, 2008 6:29:32 GMT -5
"However, it is amazing how they are still holding on." -------------------------------------------------------------------- the amazing stuff is how Turkey still is holding on and spends a huge amount of its GDP for T-Cypriots?
"They must have someting to hold on in order to be able to take the suffering. Is it only the Turkish aid that makes them survive?" ------------------------------------------------------- Yes.
"Or it is their love for their identity. Their pride and faith? " -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pride and identity... for whom?? The settlers?? They didnt even love Cyprous. They just found empty houses for free there... and moved on.
"While you are laughing at them I'd prefer to praize their bravery and scarifice. This is suffering for a noble cause." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a suffering imposed by Turkish external policy on them. Bujakanit rules them... and that is why theuy suffer. The ones who dont obey to Turkish generals.... are already have Cypriot-EU passports or they work in the South and have a normal life.
|
|
|
Post by yahadj on Feb 24, 2008 10:11:03 GMT -5
That, too. God bless Turkey and Northern Cyprus. Brothers should help each other. The settlers, too. It is the same identity. It is shared Turkish identity. Once you are Turk doesn't matter what part of world you live. It is in your genes. BTW I didn't know about your expertise on "settlers' love affairs". Well, who doesn't love houses for free. Even Souther Cypriots liked that, when they settled on ones that belonged to Cypriot Turks. That is not unique. ;D Thank you. You just proved everybody that Turkish Cypriots have an option to hold Cypriot-EU passports and live wherever they want. I think even you Macedons don't have that option unless you accept Bulgarian citizenship and move to BG. I am sorry, you just proved us that Cypriots are luckier than you, as well. Well are you trying to say that Turkish Cypriots living in Northern Cyprus do that because they prefer to do that? They prefer to stay in N. Cyprus because they don't find it exiting to move and live in S. Cyprus or EU. Then why do you care? I didn't say that, you told us that... BTW, opression is more like when you are not left with any options. I thought that may clear some misunderstandings... Dude! ;D
|
|