Tourism Minister Condemns German Tour Operator’s “Occupied” Label for North Cyprus
Minister of Tourism Fikri Ataoğlu, criticized a German-based tour operator for referring to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as “the occupied north of Cyprus” in an email to agencies.
In a statement to an AA correspondent, Ataoğlu urged tour operators to avoid falling into what he described as a trap set by Greek Cypriots. He labeled the email from the German company as scandalous.
Ataoğlu stated, “It is not the place of a German tour company to determine the status of the TRNC. The term ‘under occupation’ used in TUI’s email is shameful.”
He further claimed that Greek Cypriots employ various tactics to undermine TRNC’s tourism and economy every summer, and that preventing tourists staying in Southern Cyprus from visiting TRNC violates the freedom of travel and EU free movement laws.
TUI’s Email to Agencies
Following alleged pressure from the Greek Cypriot Administration, Germany-based tour operator TUI sent an email to agencies, stating that tourists would no longer be taken to the TRNC for day trips. The email indicated that existing reservations would conclude on August 31.
The email, sent by Cyprus Operations Manager Eva-Maria Scharin, used the term “the occupied north of Cyprus” to refer to the TRNC.
President Ersin Tatar also claimed that the Greek Cypriot illegally blocked EU and other citizens with reservations in the TRNC from crossing over, accusing them of blackmailing tour operators.
Tatar remarked, “The Greek Cypriot leadership is engaging in hostile actions against our tourism sector.”
TRNC TARGETED
The Greek Cypriot Administration recently took action against third-country nationals who purchased property in the TRNC, citing “looting of Greek Cypriot property.”
Two Israeli and one German citizen who either bought real estate in the TRNC or worked as realtors there were detained in Southern Cyprus and brought to court.
Following reports in the Greek Cypriot press about the negative impact of rented properties and hotels in the TRNC on their tourism, the Greek Cypriot Administration attempted to block tourists with reservations in the TRNC from crossing, while also threatening sanctions against tour operators and guides.
