The tourism of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is being promoted at the ITB Berlin Fair.

During the fair, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, who is in Berlin, stated that the number of tourists coming to the TRNC from Europe had decreased due to pressure from the Greek Cypriots.

Answering questions from Anadolu Agency, Üstel stressed that the fair was of vital importance for the country’s tourism.

“Through the meetings we have held, we will provide the necessary support to tour operators and achieve the tourist numbers we have targeted for 2025” the Premier said.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel is in Berlin, the capital of Germany, to attend the International Tourism Exchange Fair, one of the world’s largest tourism fairs.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Prime Minister Üstel stated that despite the embargoes, they participated in tourism fairs worldwide using their own resources and with significant support from Türkiye.

The Premier also highlighted the importance of TRNC being represented with its flag at the 2025 ITB Berlin Fair, where 186 countries are participating.

Noting that the Greek Cypriot administration had been trying to exclude the TRNC from tourism fairs, Üstel said however their efforts were in vain at the ITB Berlin Fair, where he attended alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu.

Stressing their efforts to further improve tourism, which is the locomotive sector of the TRNC, the Premier pointed out the significance of the tourism industry.

He also stated that Greek Cypriots were putting pressure by encouraging European tourists not to visit the TRNC.

Stressing the importance of transportation in tourism, Üstel said, “Since we are subjected to an embargo on transportation, tourists coming from third countries always have to use the Greek Cypriot administration airports. The Greek side is increasing pressure on those arriving from third countries every day. Both tour operators and tourists are facing significant pressure. They are being told, ‘Don’t vacation in the North, vacation in the South.’ Additionally, if they choose to vacation in the South, they receive an incentive of 50 Euros per person. Tour operators are also being pressured through large incentives. As a result, the number of tourists coming to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom has significantly declined.”

He added that normally around 1,000 charter flights landed in the TRNC from Germany each year for winter tourism, but today, this number had dropped to 120.

Üstel stated that they discussed the issue with Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, and that they had taken initiatives to bring tourists to North Cyprus via Türkiye.

“We believe that we will see results in this regard in a short time. This fair is of vital importance to us. Through the meetings we have held, we will provide the necessary support to tour operators and achieve the tourist numbers we have targeted for 2025,” he added.

Stressing that the island’s economy was entirely dependent on tourism, Üstel said, “Our sunshine, sea, and the quality of our hotels are evident. We would be pleased if people choose to vacation in the TRNC.”

Also pointing out that the TRNC faced embargoes in the fields of economy, sports, and transportation, the Premier noted that no country other than Türkiye had spoken out against these restrictions.

He further addressed other injustices in the region, stating that Israel’s attacks on Palestinians had been ongoing for more than a year and that the children and women were being killed by Israeli bombs in the Mediterranean, right before Europe’s eyes.

Prime Minister Üstel concluded his remarks by saying, “The doors of the TRNC are always open to our citizens living in Germany. We would be delighted to welcome and host them in our country.”