The breakaway regime plans promotional campaign in the UK in order to attract tourism

The majority of Turkish Cypriot dailies (08.11.11) publish news reports regarding the participation of the breakaway regime in the London World Tourism Market in order to promote “North Cyprus.” Part of the promotion activities will be a convoy of London “black cabs” covered with posters of “North Cyprus.” The so-called minister of tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel will start the convoy and later on hold meetings with tourist agents at the breakaway regime’s kiosk.

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (08.11.11) reports that a total of 105 cabs will roam the streets of London for a year, introducing “TRNC tourism.” The paper also reports on statements by Sahap Asikoglu, undersecretary of the so-called ministry of tourism, environment and culture. Asikoglu stated that they have signed an agreement with a PR (Public Relations) company for an advertisement campaign that will run for a year, underlining that they plan to spend 400,000 GBP in the English market in order to attract tourists? “We are starting a planned promotional campaign,” he said, noting that from January advertisements on billboards, buses and train stations will start to appear.

Additionally, Star Kibris (08.11.11) reports on statements by Sahap Asikoglu, who said that for 2011 they expected a 30% increase in tourism and so far they got 35% and a total of 14 destinations. He added that for 2012 they expect a 30% increase in tourists coming from England.

Commenting also on the negative effects that the closing down of the illegal Cyprus Turkish Airlines had on the tourism sector, Asikoglu said that they tried to overcome the difficulties with charter flights. However for 2012 they want to ensure that a new airline will enter the market, because it is the only way to transfer more tourists from England and added that they will try to sign agreements with 3-4 new tour operators.

Moreover, he said that they try to market alternative touristic models, like health, ecological and golf tourism and especially increase guest houses. He added that their efforts gather under the slogan “Simply North Cyprus ? Simply Beautiful, Uniquely Mediterranean North Cyprus”