Tourists not scared off by Syria attack

There have been no cancellations of bookings made by foreign tourists planning to visit the holiday island, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and Hotels Association have assured,

This follows reports in the British media that UK nationals - the island's biggest market - who had planned trips to Cyprus are cancelling and those already on the island were feeling vulnerable.

But senior CTO official Marinos Menelaou told CNA that that organisation is following the situation and has responded to a limited number of questions posed to it on this issue from abroad.

He underlined that Cyprus remains a secure European destination with no flight schedule to and from Cyprus having been affected due to the recent military activity concerning Syria.

"There have been no cancellations, and tourism programmes continue normally. Moreover, no travel advice has been issued by the UK or any other country which is a tourist market for us, that would alter Cyprus` status as a tourist destination," Menelaou said.

He assured that the CTO is ready to receive large numbers of visitors.

Cyprus Hotels Association Director General Zacharis Iaonnides told CNA that the situation is normal and that flights operate normally and tour operator programmes remain as initially planned.

He expressed reserved optimism that Cyprus would achieve better results this year than 2017, which was a record year for tourist arrivals and income generated by tourism.

"There is no reason for concern. The flow of visitors continues normally," Ioannides said.

He dismissed information in the British media saying that UK nationals are trying to leave Cyprus, due to the situation in Syria.

Cyprus has prided itself in a safe holiday destination in a wider region that has suffered from political turmoil.

A record 3.65 million tourists enjoyed a Cyprus holiday last year, spending an unprecedented 2.6 billion euros.