Booking.com Warns Travelers Against Trips to Northern Cyprus

The online accommodation booking service Booking.com has issued a warning for travelers planning to visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The aggregator has notified users about potential human rights violations in Northern Cyprus and emphasized the importance of making informed decisions regarding accommodation and travel plans.

When attempting to book accommodation in Northern Cyprus, the service alerts customers to certain rules for visiting the region and nuances in relations between the TRNC and the Republic of Cyprus.

In particular, the statement mentions that there may be restrictions on crossing the border between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and that travelers must enter the Republic of Cyprus through specific entry points.

• Please note: there may be restrictions when crossing the border between Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus. It is expected that travelers will enter and exit the territory of the Republic of Cyprus only through the airports of Larnaca and Paphos, as well as through the seaports of Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos. The U.S. Department of State notes that the northern part of the island of Cyprus, under the control of Turkish Cypriots, declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) in 1983. The authorities of the Republic of Cyprus do not consider Ercan Airport in the north of the island a "legal" entry point to Cyprus. To learn more, please contact your country's tourism agency, - the Booking.com message states.

The accommodation booking system also warns that in Northern Cyprus, "there is a risk of violating the rights of guests and local residents."

• To make an informed decision about your trip, familiarize yourself with the recommendations for tourists published by the government agencies of your country, - the resource's message says.

The statement has drawn attention from local media, which believe that "this statement will harm tourism in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as it may compel potential visitors to reconsider their decision to travel to the region and significantly impact visitors' travel plans."