Deputy PM Slams ‘Occupied’ Label in Tour Operator Email
Source: North Cyprus News | Online News for North Cyprus
Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu, who is also Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment, strongly criticised a German-based tour operator for referring to the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) as “the occupied north of Cyprus” in an email sent to various agencies, Kibris Postasi reported.
In a statement to the Anadolu Agency (AA), Ataoğlu urged tour operators to avoid falling for Greek Cypriot propaganda, calling the language used in the email scandalous. He asserted, “It is not the job of a German tour company to define the status of the TRNC. The term ‘under occupation’ used in TUI’s email is disgraceful“.
Ataoğlu also highlighted that every summer, the Greek Cypriots employ various tactics to harm tourism in the TRNC and destabilise its economy. He pointed out that stopping tourists staying in the Greek Cypriot-controlled south from crossing into the TRNC is a violation of both freedom of movement and EU law.
TUI’s Email Controversy
After the Greek Cypriot Administration’s efforts to undermine TRNC tourism, the German tour operator TUI sent an email to its authorised agencies, informing them that tourists would no longer be taken on day trips to the TRNC. The email also mentioned that existing reservations for such trips would be cancelled as of August 31. The phrase “the occupied north of Cyprus” was notably used in the communication, which was sent by TUI’s Cyprus Operations Manager, Eva-Maria Scharin.
President Ersin Tatar also condemned the Greek Cypriot Administration, accusing them of illegally preventing EU and other foreign tourists, who had already booked holidays in the TRNC, from crossing the border. He described these actions as hostile attempts to damage the TRNC’s tourism sector.
Greek Cypriot Administration’s Targeting of TRNC’s Property and Tourism
Recently, the Greek Cypriot Administration has begun taking legal action against foreign nationals who have purchased property in the TRNC, accusing them of “looting Greek Cypriot property“. Over the past six months, two Israeli citizens and one German citizen who either bought real estate in the TRNC or worked as real estate agents have been detained and taken to court by Greek Cypriot authorities.
Additionally, after Greek Cypriot media reported last week that rented properties in the TRNC were harming their tourism industry, the Greek Cypriot Administration attempted to block tourists with reservations in the TRNC from entering the region and threatened sanctions against tour operators and guides who facilitate such travel.
Kibris Postasi
The original article: belongs to North Cyprus News | Online News for North Cyprus .
