In this period of recession six million UK tourists went to Spain

Troodo


Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1002

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 11:41

Why did they not come to Cyprus, north or south?

cavalryman


Joined: 08/11/2010
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 11:50

Cheaper flights, more choice,no power cuts,simpler,not as hot,cheaper when dining,businesses gratefull for your custom is that enough for you.But i love it here.

AndyR



Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 317

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 11:55

I was in Cyprus (North and South) for several weeks a couple of months ago and have just come back from a week in Mallorca with my daughter. I'm a regular visitor to both places.

The first answer is that Spain is easier to get to, that matters with young children (my youngest is 4). Beyond that, there's little to choose between Spain and the ROC as far as family beach holidays go.

As for the TRNC, I'm afraid the reasons that it's not any more popular despite being a spectacularly beautiful place are quite simple. It's complicated to get there (compared to most other places) and, it has to be said, a great many of the locals do nothing to make visitors feel welcome. You just know that the only reason they're speaking to you on many occassions (walk round the harbour in Girne for example) is to separate you from your money.

It's a real shame, I love visiting the TRNC but until the culture becomes more welcoming to tourists and their needs I doubt tourism will increase.

misunderstood


Joined: 08/04/2011
Posts: 1004

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 12:30

Place the blame firmly where it belongs, a blind, deaf and dumb government.



Rip off Cyprus, North and South at every level.

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 12:53

Msg 2

Just got back from 4 weeks in TRNC,did not find eating out expensive, power was off twice for about 30 minutes each,locals friendly as always, and you get more for your lira than you du for the euro.

Glasbury


Joined: 13/08/2010
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 13:00

I think a lot of people with regard to holidays and tourism simply think Cyprus not TRNC and do not know about the choices available to them and the distinct difference. These are not advertised freely and people are simply not aware. Spain is also much easier and quicker to get to. I agree with the sentiments in Msg 5 also.

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 13:15

For 200 quid i went to spain for 5 days. Including Flight, paarking at the airport, pick up and drop of at the other end, Hotel and full board food. Food but what food, all you can eat. But now I have to go on a diet.



Try getting thatin Cyprus. We are our worst enemy.

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 13:26

curiously, advertising for holidays in the sun presents images of peace and calmness

but spain is hugely more developed and busy than north cyprus:

it could be that while people pretend they want a less-hectic place of empty beaches

...true of many eastern parts of trnc, at least they feel more secure with the familiar



spain is ninety minutes flying time with loads of direct flights and all types of hotels



regarding north cyprus, is organisation, efficiency and choice cannot really compete

while the fantastic value, and considerable charm of place and people, is far harder

to put in to words



but once you have been there all the nonsense about army and borders is seen as

the crude propaganda it really is



as for south cyprus loads of people started off there then think of graduating to the

north: it is very rarely the other way round



I wonder why?

Troodo


Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1002

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 13:40

The government blame the recession for the lack of tourists, can this be true?

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 13:52

I think Yfred is right

these all-inclusive deals

are working because you know your budget

before you leave the uk

if you haven't been to a countrty before

you may not know prices drinks/meals

this basically sets your budget

especially when money is tight

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 15:27

message 10:



if you mean inclusive hotel deals with all drinks and food thrown in,

these are always splendid value and good for families:

turkey, egypt and to a lesser degree spain scored well on these in the past



I am not aware that either cyprus specializes in this sort of thing:



as regards prices, south cyprus is in the eurozone and prices are higher than they

would otherwise be, but the turkish lira is about a sixth cheaper than last year

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 15:33

They are many all inclusive in Paphos

friends of mine went for a wedding

they said most people there were all inclusive



like you said they had kids

saved them a fortune in soft drinks and ice cream alone

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 15:47

far be it from me to slag off value-holidays anywhere,

and all-inclusive is the way to go in the future

Glasbury


Joined: 13/08/2010
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 15:52

Each to their own I say - I have only been all inclusive once in Europe and it was very good, but once you have travelled more than once to a tourist destination I think that you want to explore and find good restaurants, cafes and bars for yourself rather than being confined so to speak.

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 15:53

...at least for those with kids in tow



I think we would agree though philbailey that north cyprus and the south are very "different"

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 15:55

We only went all inclusive once and that was Cuba. Hotel fantastic but after a few days we were going stir crazy. We went out and saw some of the area ourselves but there were people there who spent the full 2 weeks eating and drinking, at the pool bar basically until they could not drink anymore. I agree it is cheaper if you have a few kids but you are depriving those children of seeing a bit of the countries culture by keeping them in the all inclusive environment.

Plus all inclusive hurts the local bars / restaurants trade. Our youngest son owns a bar in Spain and is struggling this year as the tourists simply are not there!



Chris

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 16:01

Msg 16, no tourists or they are all-inclusive



I also would not fancy staying in the same place all the time



but once you are there you can explore

and have the option of eating out



or in the hotel

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 16:03

does all-inclusive mean unlimited ice cream?



if so it may be necessary to put the kids on wheeled platforms

and roll them back to the airport



....as regards adults, does it mean being permanently "pssst"?

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 16:08

Msg 18, My friend had unlimited drinks

inc tea/coffee and booze from 8am to midnight



and food all day in a choice of resturants

within the complex



he could not believe how cheap it was



He had never been all inclusive before



now is is looking at other countries to do the same

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 16:26

Re: Msg 1,

It only these 6 mln tourists stayed there all-inclusively for the rest of the year!



I'm enjoying 'green and pleasant land' again : nice and quiet, I even had no problems finding a space in the car park this morning.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 16:27

Re: Msg 20,



If only...

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 16:49

I think you missed my point. % days stay included flight and hotel and food. As well as few other things. Ni Drink mind you but that was ok as I was practicing my religion for a change. Compare that with Cyprus, Just the flights is enough to frighten you. But fear not I will be over very soon.

pc4854


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 243

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 16:56

My wife and I went all inclusive once and once only. I remember writing a letter of complaint to the company, there were so many faults to complain about that it went to four pages of A4. I am not one who does not give praise when it's due however and I did ask the company to pass my congratulations to the chef at the poolside BBQ, as he was the only chef I have come across who could get 200 portions out of one chicken. What a waste of my time, never even got a reply, let alone a sorry.

hulyatoon


Joined: 30/05/2011
Posts: 21

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 19:32

i think that cyprus is getting too expensive when you are getting there and also when you are there.. otherwise there is no other reason, Cyprus is beautiful

flossie44


Joined: 05/03/2009
Posts: 223

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 19:33

We go to Tenerife regularly and have just booked flights for next April at a price of £120 for 2 people.When we come to Northern Cyprus we are lucky if we can find a flight for less than £200 each, plus cost of transfer. Meals out are very reasonable and we can buy a very good quality 3 course meal for 8 euros. The infrastrucure in many ways is better than the UK and there are some beautiful places to visit if you get out of the "popular resorts". Of course they have had the benefit of EC money to improve beaches etc. I can understand why Spain and the Canaeries are so popular.

We, however love Northern Cyprus and have a house there but in many ways it cannot compete. The people are more friendly and it feels very safe. To improve its image it needs money and a good government. Unfortunately at present it has neither. I cannot see the tourist situation improving for a long while.

I have been coming to Cyprus for 11 years and Tenerife for 30 so have a good sense of both places.



flo

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 20:24

In the last few months we have been on 'all inclusive' holidays in Gran Canaria, and Egypt. Both were fantastic! Once there everything is included, drinks food entertainment - absolutely nothing extra to pay, unless you wish to go out.

All the reasons normally why I would not want to go on a holiday like that... As usual it was my wife that talked me into the first one.

However, it is not TRNC....which is still my favorite.

I don't mind the flights and landing in Turkey...it's just getting far too expensive?

Make the flights more affordable, market the place properly, get rid of those that like to rubbish the place, because it is a truly magical, mystical place full of lovely people...

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 21:25

If we were to ask a straw poll of people in the UK for what they regarded as a value for money family holiday abroad, how long before you found someone who said 'North Cyprus'? How long before they said 'Cyprus' come to that. I've been looking at the weekend newspaper travel supplements for a while and rarely does Cyprus ever get a mention. What has put the travel writers off?



Does North Cyprus even look like a tourist spot when just driving around? What do tourists report back to their friends and family after visiting NC? Do you think they mention the litter, lack of facilities, empty shops and half finished buildings, cost of getting about i.e. hire cars/taxis?

TRNCvictim


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 1417

Message Posted:
26/07/2011 22:02

I have been to Spain once this year and am hopefully going back again in September, for a family holiday it couldn't be any better, cheap flights beautiful villa's for rent, and yes they are more expensive than Cyprus, The Spaniards are great hosts that look after the tourists, and because of the EU don't try to rip anyone off! the Beaches are spotlessly clean, and no litter anywhere, the last few years the Villa's I have stayed in are beautiful, clean and equipped to a high standard, the food is reasonable either bought from Supermarkets, or eaten out, the weather is wonderful!



Blackbird I have also been on an all inclusive to Gran Canaria, it was excellent stayed at the Rui Palace, all the German Hotels certainly take a lot of beating



For me the TRNC isn't magical or mystical anymore! it's just an Island in the Med that has lovely Mountain & Sea views, but the litter, rip off merchants, my sad delapidated Villa and awful animal situation leaves me feeling desolate! :-(

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 02:46

How many tourist visit Cyprus ?

I read it was about 2 million a year

for a small country this is alot

why complain ?

bertieboss


Joined: 22/07/2011
Posts: 149

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 07:26

Keep em all going to Spain !

TRNC - what you see is what you get. The locals are lovely people but naturally will change with the influence of tourists and ex pats.

I've never understood why the people who are dissatisfied with any aspect of the place continue to visit or settle there.

It isn't going to change any time soon and anyway will never recover from the environmental damage done by half finished "villa" complexes.

They have nothing to do with the ordinary people!!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 09:26

Andre514/Msg 8: 'but once you have been there all the nonsense about army and borders is seen as



the crude propaganda it really is'



Is it? Take for just one example: Dozens of tourists staying at 'Ship Inn' walk down our road, hoping to access the beach, but discover they are confronted by an armed sentry and waved back. A great impression, isn't it!



Many have told me that was their first and LAST visit to TRNC!

Troodo


Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1002

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 10:11

There are many no go areas and army camps in the south. Where do you think they hide the Greek troops?

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 10:18

Message 31..Tenakoutou, It may not be a great impression, but its reality when holidaying in NC...so if one does their homework beforehand, they would have a choice.

Troodo


Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1002

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 13:42

For instants, there are at least 3 beach areas between Zigi and Larnaca, not including the big base at Zigi, that are occupied by the military. One is the Greek equivalent of the American Seals; I think they call themselves the Slugs.

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 16:35

philbailey message 29,



there so many downsides to north cyprus,

it's a wonder the place gets any tourists or homebuyers at all

...there are heaps of flytipping despoiling choice locations



"north cyprus, the ideal site for a masochists' convention"



on paper, the republic of cyprus seems to have it all:

sunshine, no stares if you ask questions in english

and is far more familiar and recognisably modern than the north



if the road traffic in south cyprus is fast, intense and scary,

at least the standard of driving is well up to scratch



nonetheless there are some misguided souls

who appreciate the poor old trnc's spectacular scenery,

and it's dog-eared exoticism

there is a shamateurish international music festival set in the spectacular

and highly atmospheric bellapais abbey every may/june



out east in the karpaz you will find deserted secret beaches, some hosting

turtle nests, sporting pitifully few facilites like pizza takeaways and car parks



we mu

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 16:37

we must be mad...



(my apologies for running out of space slagging off north cyprus)

reyntj


Joined: 26/01/2011
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 17:12

It's the flight cost it's certainly not cheaper to eat out and the supermarkets are crap and most of tourist places in Spain resemble Blackpool ad are half empty the main problem is the flight price it's too expensive for most families to bring the kids here and also many no people who have a villa or apartment in Spain

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
27/07/2011 17:26

reyntj,



you are quite right about the cheap cost and vast availability of flights to spain,

...while to subject kids to lengthy indirect flights can be a big problem



many of my "favourable" comments about south cyprus could well apply to spain:

on paper at least it seems no contest, especially in the "numbers game"

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 00:55

according to reports, south cyprus borrowing has attracted a serious credit downgrade

...when the roc is turfed out of the eurozone it will be cheaper than spain, a plus point

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 00:59

Does anyone have Cyprus tourist figures ?



if it is 2 million a year



per head of population thats not bad surely ?

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:13

2 million???? To Cyprus???

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:25

philbailey,



whoever goes to south cyprus is free to do so

I thought it was horrible, but it seems to be popular



....wish you every sucess with your sales promotion

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:28

TRNC tourism claim refuted – Tourism leaders have refuted that tourism numbers leaped by 15% last year. While Prime Minister Irsen Küçük has been extolling the virtues of North Cyprus as a tourist destination, suggestions that 2010 was a success have been denied. Mr Küçük told Turkish investors that a tourism plan was close to completion. It aims to see 1 million holidaymakers a year choose North Cyprus after 5 years and 2 million by 2023. Travel Agents Association chairman Orhan Tolon said “I do not believe the TRNC had a 15 % rise in tourism in 2010. No one will benefit from distorted data. You can see the reality in the current market conditions.” He said 130 out of the 150 hotels and holiday villages in North Cyprus had made losses during 2010, while 100 out of 250 staff lost their jobs and reservations for 2011 were currently running at about 10%. He said “Usually reservations for the year would be about 50% by January, so can you please tell me where the so called tourists are?

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:30

Msg 42, it was a question

but I believe Cyprus recieved 2 million tourists last year

whether they juggle the figures ie flights



I would be interested to know the actual figures



both north and south

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:31

Aiming for 2 million by 2023 according to above article in Cyprus Today.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:32

Phil Msg 40 - if each tourist stayed just one night that means they would need over 5,400 beds in hotels (tourists are only counted staying in hotels).

Ther would need to be at least 27 flights in each day not including seats for villa owners, swallows, relations, London Cypriots, Turkish soldiers, gamblers etc. knock off a Zero and you might be right. Tour operators like Direct and Green Island have only 20,000 / 28,000 passengers on their bonds for the year (between the two and they are large)

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:35

he recession in Europe is now taking its toll on the Mediterranean holiday island whose tourism-reliant economy is expected to contract by 0.5 percent in 2009 and grow by the same amount this year.



Between January and December, 2.14 million tourist arrivals were recorded, compared with 2.40 million in the same period a year earlier.



http://www.eturbonews.com/13820/cyprus-tourism-plunges-109-2009

steptoenoel


Joined: 27/04/2011
Posts: 116

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:37

2 million people does seem excessive,especially when i struggled to get flights 2 months ago for september,have ended up with t.cook belfast larnaca at over £700 for 2 people,

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:42

Msg 48, maybe that is why you struggled,

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:47

What people don't take into consideration is that the recent fall in house buying is having a direct impact on the tourist trade. In 2005 the hotels were busy with regular visitors looking for property and inspecting the different stages of their builds as well as shopping trips for furniture.



Added to this is the fact that many expats are selling up and leaving the island. Unfortunately this means that all their relatives and friends, that may also have made use of the property, no longer do. This obviously effects the beach clubs,car hire companies, restaurants and bars.

steptoenoel


Joined: 27/04/2011
Posts: 116

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:54

As i have to come from Belfasr anyhow,maybe £ for £ things have worked out the same.Always used CTA stansted so that involved 2 overnite stoppes.Or last April involved 6 overnite stops,courtesy of Iceland.But sure we lived to tell the tale.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:55

Blody hell try to get a flight to Ercan or Larnaca its nigh on impossible. I have tried now for two weeks and prices I could have a roundthe world trip. x Anyway found one Im on my way x

andre514


Joined: 05/10/2010
Posts: 763

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 01:59

I started going to spain in 1962 and loved the place



but it seems very over-built up...although the newer development

is much lower impact



for example alongside the "autovia del sol" from malaga to estapona

it is nightmarishly massed concrete for mile after mile after mile



but going southward from alcudia in majorca there are very attractive

lower-rise recent developments towards a wetland reserve



there are good value-holidays in spain, turkey and egypt with which

either cyprus can never really compete on cost



on the other hand some people go to machu pichu or ponytrekking

in mongolia and so on



everyone I know who went to north cyprus preferred its charm and

ambiance to the south

...but as philbailey points out huge numbers visit south cyprus and

we are told the customer is always right



and short of north cyprus competing directly with the south, more

and more punters from turkey seem to be visiting the place

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 02:09

My point was for a small population

on an Island

2 million seems a lot

compared to 6 million in Spain with a bigger population

steptoenoel


Joined: 27/04/2011
Posts: 116

Message Posted:
28/07/2011 02:10

Have done the Spain the Tunisia etc and it has been tourists that have pushed me out of everywhere,thats when we found trnc in 2000,but i am sure it will follow.And guys you know what I mean by tourists!