Tour Operator TUI May Halt Promotion of Tours to the TRNC: Government Responds

TRNC President Ersin Tatar has issued a statement addressing the "hostile initiative by the Greek Cypriot administration" aimed at the tourism sector in Northern Cyprus.

This concerns an alleged agreement between the Republic of Cyprus authorities and tour operators intended to reduce the number of foreign tourists visiting the northern part of the island during their vacations in Cyprus.

According to several local media outlets, the deal reportedly involves the tour operator TUI, which has allegedly informed its partners in Cyprus via email that, after August 31, the company "will no longer advertise or sell tours to the TRNC."

Cyprus Mail reports that there is no official confirmation of such an agreement. Meanwhile, the tour operator's website lists "Tours of Northern Cyprus with Famagusta, Salamis, and Kyrenia" as sold out.

Additionally, Kibris newspaper published a screenshot of an email allegedly sent by the head of TUI's operations team to local guides.

"TUI has reached an agreement with the Cypriot government to cease advertising and selling tours to the northern occupied part of Cyprus. This applies to all languages and all tours crossing the border to the north," the email reportedly states.

Despite the lack of official confirmation, TRNC authorities have already strongly condemned the Greek Cypriot administration's policies.

"This time, the Greek Cypriot leadership has placed our tourism sector at the center of its 'blockade policy,' aimed at collapsing our economy. They are taking steps to illegally prevent people, including EU citizens who have made reservations in advance, from spending their vacations in our country. The Greek Cypriot administration is pursuing this policy by blackmailing the relevant tour operators," said TRNC President Ersin Tatar.

According to the leader of Northern Cyprus, this situation "once again reveals the true intentions of the Greek Cypriot leader and, consequently, the Greek Cypriot administration regarding the future of the island of Cyprus."

The Turkish Cypriot leader stated that, after consultations with industry representatives and tourism organizations, "contacts have been established with relevant international parties, including the European Union," calling for "intervention in this hostile policy by the Greek side."

"As a president responsible for protecting the rights and interests of my people on all platforms, I will closely monitor this issue in the relevant international circles, including the EU," concluded Ersin Tatar.