Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu said that they hoped to unlock the country’s huge potential for tourism with the new airline, infrastructural investments, the new airport and new areas.

Ataoğlu stressed that they were also expecting a high occupancy rate for the new tourism season.

Referring to the restoration work being carried out at the historic Girne Harbour, he said, “There is no need to worry, the work will be completed in time even if a short delay might be experienced.”

Evaluating the new pre-season tourism activities on BRT on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu expressed the view that the country’s tourism potential will increase with the start of scheduled flights by the new airline Fly Kıbrıs, resulting in a drop in ticket prices.

Pointing out that they focused on academic and scientific studies while continuing to work on transportation costs and infrastructure, he announced that a new study on universities was underway.

Ataoğlu also said that new areas of tourism in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will be determined and investments will be directed to these regions.

Pointing out that a wedding fair had been held in the TRNC for the first time in the TRNC, he said that they will continue to support similar activities as that they expect an important share from wedding tourism.

He said that they were expecting a huge increase in the number of tourists visiting the TRNC this year and that so far figures for the first three months were promising.

Ataoğlu also said that talks with Azerbaijani officials to increase the number of tourists from Azerbaijan were continuing and that Azeri influencers will be arriving in the TRNC soon.

Touching upon the restoration work at the Girne Harbour, Ataoğlu said “even though we experienced a short-term disruption, it is not important. Work is continuing. No one should worry this work will be completed.”