Turkish Cypriot tourist guides have concerns

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:02

Turkish Cypriot tourist guides have concerns regarding tourists who cross into the North from the South.The President of the Cyprus Turkish Tourist Guides’ Union- Hasan Karlitas has underlined the need for the correction of several mistakes being made while tourists arriving in Cyprus from the South cross into the North for day-long trips.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:03

In a written statement, Mr Karlitas noted that there have been unequal procedures being implemented during the crossing of tourists from South into the North.He complained that tourist guides from the South who cross into the North together with the tourists are making biased promotions in North Cyprus.“Thus, the economic contribution that the tourism brings is diminished” he said.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:03

The Union President went on saying that tourist guides and buses based in North Cyprus are not allowed to operate in the South as a result of the prevention by the Greek Cypriot Tourism Organization, while however Greek Cypriot and foreign tourist guides working in the South are serving the tourists in the North.Hasan Karlitas said this is an honour-injuring situation for Turkish Cypriot tourist guides.

“No one else can know and promote the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus better than us” he stressed.He called for taking measures to ease these problems with the establishment of cooperation among the tourist institutions and governmental departments.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:04

I'm interested in the subject - can you give the source please, Bill?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:06

Here you go Hans:



http://www.brtk.cc/index.php/lang/en/cat/2/news/50939

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:07

Hans did you see this link about the Netherlands donation:



http://www.brtk.cc/index.php/lang/en/cat/2/news/50938

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:13

there is a place you can see a round up of most news concerning trnc But i have been told not to put links to it.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:19

Thanks, Bill.



RE tourist guides > tourist guides from the South who cross into the North together with the tourists are making biased promotions in North Cyprus <



=> Hardly amazing. I met (in TRNC) two Dutch journalists not long ago and they told me how the tourist board in the RoC tried to influence them 1: not to go to the North and 2: to be "very careful" if they did so.



The good thing is that my two Dutch colleagues will mention all this in the article and that they thoroughly enjoyed a sightseeing trip in Lefkosha and Girne, the food in TRNC and the people they met in TRNC.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:21

I've heard this before also Hans.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:28

Bill, this may interest you: Christofias on tourism in the South:



http://www.financialmirror.com/News/Cyprus_and_World_News/16002



Nige, do you mean the free (daily or even hourly) "Google Alert: Cyprus"? Can't be beaten! All the on line news (head lines and some short info, linked to the source) about Cyprus from all over the world, almost as soon as it is published.



Free subscription for "news buffs" here: http://www.google.com/alerts?hl=en&gl=&source=alertsmail

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 11:44

Hans, I must say that a 52-million-euro plan to boost tourism in the mid of the global financial crisis is quite alarming. They must be really worried that tourism for the period of January April 2009 declined by 7,5%, while tourist arrivals decreased by 8.9%.



Now they know what it's like in the north!

Aslan


Joined: 23/06/2008
Posts: 757

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 13:16

A unbiased and negative promotion



Even if a tourists arrives through Lokmaci without being fed any propaganda, they probably won't return, north nicosia is unfortunately the most unwelcoming capital in Europe.



Parking is difficult and costs 5YTL now an increase of 250% since May!

Greeted by hoards of off duty soldiers taking up the streets

The paths are used for parking so don't bring a pushchair or wheel chair.

The blue line/tourist route is a shambles with bins, cars, bollards to try and avoid.

The signs to monuments, staues, and other places of interest are pointing in the wrong directions.

The signs at monuments, staues, and other places of interest are not in english and very vague.

The shops are very dissapointing unless you want jewellry or fake clothing.

The choice of restaurants and bars that offer a professional service is limited to one.

CyprusChill


Joined: 08/05/2009
Posts: 666

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 13:58

The Gateway to the North is open but indeed fairness and entitlement should be a two way passage.

The entrance to the North should also speak volumes and fill the vision of things to come.

Such an allowable project would invoke the majority and a defined team to create a design, that hails progress and opportunity.



In the meantime the talks continue -



http://www.brtk.cc/index.php/lang/en/cat/2/news/50922

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 14:06

Yes, I posted this below : America to continue to support Cyprus talks.



I liked the mention of US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton having said during their visits to Turkey that there is a real opportunity for a solution in Cyprus within the year.



Fingers crossed

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 15:58

I first came to the North on a coach trip in 2006

Before the TRNC tourist guide joined us the ROC guide said that this was the last time that she would be able to speak freely or pass comments without being careful so "whatever you do make sure you are careful and sure of what you are doing as things may not be as they seem be careful on prices etc"

So when we were unloaded at Belapais we were cautious and in the harbour .But the truth was everything was priced in YTL $ £ cy£ and even euro and the exchange rate was spot on .I did not want YTL as change but that was not a problem I was given sterling

When I went to Jerusalem/Bethlehem for a day we were given the same advice and on this occasion not allowed into any shop unless the guide took us all the stores were Jewish owned

CyprusChill


Joined: 08/05/2009
Posts: 666

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 16:16

Many a tourist has been given the one eyed, man eating, vile infested, dont' go near the edge,fairy tales.



.... and survived to tell the tale !!!

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 21:04

Cypruschill



They also survived the north being full of rabid dogs that you encounter as soon as you cross into TRNC.

This was reported to have been a warning given out by a GC tour guide,she didnt say how the dogs knew where the border was.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 21:26

It took me eight years here to be told about the 'Blue House' which is fascinating but not mentioned in any TRNC literature or Tourist Brochure! Why?



Richard

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 21:38

RE msg 18, Brinsley > It took me eight years here to be told about the 'Blue House' which is fascinating but not mentioned in any TRNC literature or Tourist Brochure! Why? <



=> Seven years ago it only took me a couple of hours on the Internet to find out a lot about TRNC. And "Mavi Koshk/Köşk" (Blue House) was only one of the jewels I found in TRNC. Lazyness or ignorance is never rewarded, Brinsley.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 21:45

Hans



Leave it out, I've only had my computer and Internet connection for 10 months and am still learning. I wonder whether your chess playing skills have improved since we last met!



Richard

CyprusChill


Joined: 08/05/2009
Posts: 666

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 22:27

girne 29 conspiracy theory perhaps ..



Modern society and todays ' Hitler' youth - The Tourist Guides. Makes you think ?