The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) and the Association of Turkish Cypriot Tourism and Travel Agencies (KITSAB) held a meeting in Istanbul.

At the meeting, it was decided to revitalize tourism movements towards the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRCN) and to strengthen cooperation.

Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu also attended the meeting.

A step was taken in Istanbul to accelerate tourism, one of the leading sectors of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies and the Association of Turkish Cypriot Tourism and Travel Agencies came together at TÜRSAB Headquarters.

At the meeting, it was agreed to organize a comprehensive information trip to North Cyprus with the participation of 200 travel agency representatives from all over Türkiye.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, who attended the meeting, said that the population of Türkiye has exceeded 85 million and that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus does not need anyone else for tourism.

“When we join forces, we can take the tourism of the island much further than it is today. Instead of going to other islands from Türkiye, we say come to your own island. We have an island that shares the same language and currency. Let’s take care of it together,” Ataoğlu said, underlining that they can be successful together.

He also pointed out that the development of the airline connection between Türkiye and the TRNC is very important for the rise of tourism.

Ataoğlu added that they will start an incentive study for charter flights next January.

TÜRSAB Vice President Davut Günaydın for his part emphasized that their goal is to bring more tourists to the TRNC and said, “We have received important results from our meetings with KITSAB.”

KITSAB Vice President Oğuz Akançay for his part pointed out that they are currently negotiating with all airlines and participating in international tourism fairs, especially in Türkiye and said, “We are a big family in tourism as in every field.”

Akançay pointed out that their main goal is to highlight the TRNC with cultural tours, boutique hotels and gastronomy.