Filenews 21 April 2021
If we do not make sure that we correct things and have a concrete plan, "we will have a tragic year of tourism", much worse than last year, the Spokesman of the Association of Travel Agents (ACTA) Haris Papacharalambous told the CYPE, noting that we are in immediate danger of another lost tourist year.
Mr Papacharalambous said that the situation with tourism is very difficult and that the plan is missing, while the problems continue with the poor epidemiological picture we have.
He said there are no tourist bookings since those few that existed are now lost for April and May.
"With the epidemiological situation we have and the lack of a plan from those responsible, the problems are growing and we don't know if in the summer we will have some numbers worth mentioning," he noted.
He stressed that things are getting worse every day, so steps are being taken backwards rather than forwards. "If we don't take care of the things that are under our control, have a good background and come out with the right solutions, the question is how tourism will work this year," he added.
As he said, for April and May the bookings were from England, Israel and Russia. He explained that at the moment the Russian market is completely closed and the Russians cannot fly following a decision. In relation to the Israelis there are restrictions both on our part and on their part.
He pointed out that two exits that give sms for traffic are a deterrent for a tourist who wants to spend his holidays in Cyprus.
"No tourist will come and cannot leave his hotel. Sms is a joke when aimed at tourists. We must understand that tourists will have no contact with cypriots. They will go to the sea, to their bathrooms to pass the time," said Mr Papacharalambous.
He noted that from England most tour operators have postponed their flights until the end of June or the beginning of July and therefore May and June are lost.
"It looks like we'll be on the orange list as opposed to Greece, which has managed to single out some green tourist areas and will work with the English market. In Cyprus the English tourist who comes, will go back to quarantine ten days and pay for three PCR tests," he noted.
He stressed that in the review that will take place in June although there we will be on England's orange or red list, that means it will be lost for the whole year.
Mr Papacharalambous said demand is so low that hotels are reviewing the dates they will open. He explained that because there are only a few hotels that are open, this makes it difficult for the tourist to choose where to stay.
"It doesn't make sense from a red country to ask within 72 hours to do PCR tests and pay for it. We have repeatedly asked for it to be replaced with a rapid test, which will get the result before you leave the airport. Waiting for the PCR test result, you put the tourist on the bus and take him to the hotel. Then he's positive, which means those sitting near him have to be quarantined,' he added.
Mr Papacharalambous said that vaccinations in the world of the tourism industry should be given priority, since all tourist countries have done so.
Source: CYPE
