Negative developments on tourism reveal government absence for a concrete plan of action

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 10th October 2015, Nicosia

The collapse of the Russian Transaero Airlines represents a very negative development for Cyprus’ tourism just in 2015 alone it has flown about 300, 000 tourists from Russia to Cyprus.

The essence is what actions have the government and the relevant authorities proceeded to take so as to promptly absorb the impact of Transaero Airlines bankruptcy. Even today it appears that no concrete action plan has been elaborated to fill in the short and medium term this big gap.

A factor preventing this effort is the non-existence of a national airline after the policy and zeal demonstrated by the Anastasiades government for the closure of Cyprus Airways. The absence of a state-owned national airline proves the damage done to our country and weakens its position on the tourist landscape, leaving Cyprus at the mercy of any subsequent developments.

Unfortunately once again it has been demonstrated that the government instead of foreseeing developments, it follows them in despair. The Cyprus economy is not in a position to put in danger the significant benefits it has always gained from tourism.

Even at this stage, the government has the responsibility to draw up a plan for a comprehensive and effective response, so that Cyprus’ tourism is not affected seriously, in case of new negative developments with regards the up until recently rapidly increasing Russian market and from which 650, 000 tourists visited Cyprus just in 2014 alone.