Controversy as 2.7M tourists flock to occupied Cyprus

According to Halkin Sesi, citing data on tourism in the pseudo-state, the occupied territories in Cyprus saw an influx of 2.7 million third-country nationals in the first five months of 2024.

The largest number of visitors came from the United Kingdom, with nearly 126,000 arrivals. Tourist stays in illegal hotels increased by 47% compared to the same period in 2023, with 475,322 tourists staying in accommodations from January to May 2024.

The "tourism planning department" reported that 665,891 visitors were of Turkish nationality, while 132,988 were from other third countries. Of these, 475,322 stayed as tourists in the occupied territories.

Hotel occupancy in June was at its lowest in three years, at 49.6%, despite an overall upward trend in average occupancy rates. The January-June average occupancy rate was 39.6%, an increase from 36.2% in 2023 and 32.1% in 2022. The highest occupancy rate recorded to date was 57% in June 2019.

The largest number of entrants during the first five months of 2024 crossed through barricades, totaling 759,452. UK citizens, including Turkish Cypriots with British passports, led the crossings with 112,909. Greek citizens followed with 105,803 crossings, then Romanians (67,709), Bulgarians (63,436), Germans (56,575), Russians (25,780), Italians (16,670), Israelis (16,648), Slovaks (13,288), and Ukrainians (13,115).

Air travel brought 132,988 visitors, with Iranians (16,123), Russians (16,034), Germans (14,773), British (12,437), and Kazakhs (5,185) leading the arrivals.

In a symbolic gesture, Ersin Tatar presented a commemorative gift to the two millionth visitors to Varosha since its opening in October 2020. The family from Turkey received flowers and Lefkari embroidery at a ceremony attended by the so-called mayor of Famagusta, Suleiman Ulutsai, and the commander of the "security forces," Major General Osman Etats.

[Source: CNA]