Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu has said that they were expecting two million tourists to visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) this year.

Ataoğlu said that they were ambitious and had done all that was necessary to achieve this target.

In an interview with the Anadolu News Agency in Berlin, the Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu said that the TRNC was happy to be taking its place at the ITB Berlin Travel Exhibition following a three-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ataoğlu said they were promoting North Cyprus’ tourism model which was based on its natural beauties as well as its rich history and culture.

“Our plan is to reach the target of two million tourists, to attract more people than we did last year,” he said.

The tourism minister also expressed his view that tourist numbers will rise once the new Ercan Airport terminal becomes operational.

He added that they had received positive feedback from advertising and promotion campaigns being carried out in the UK, Germany, Russia and Türkiye.

Ataoğlu also pointed out there were a significant number of tourists who ended up purchasing property in the TRNC after spending a holiday in the country.

“North Cyprus is an ideal location for people to settle, retire to or purchase holiday homes. It’s a very safe country and more importantly the mild weather is ideal,” he said.