GREEK CYPRIOTS CONCERNED BY GROWTH OF HOTEL BOOKINGS IN THE TRNC THROUGH AIRBNB

The number of hotel bookings in the TRNC through Airbnb increased by 27 percent. This issue is on the agenda of the meeting of the Trade Committee of the Greek Cypriot Parliament.
 
According to Fileleftheros, this year the number of hotel bookings in the northern part of the island through electronic platforms has increased by 27%, and business income has increased by 50%.
 
The statement from the association formed by accommodation facilities in Southern Cyprus also states that the average cost of accommodation in TRNC tourist properties is 120 euros per night.
 
Greek media note that the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs will convene a meeting to discuss this issue in the near future. Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis said that if tour operators organizing trips to the TRNC are identified, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be notified.
 
Kostas Kumistake noted that in 2019 they made an appeal to representatives of electronic booking and accommodation platforms, in response it was stated that these services would not stop providing services to the TRNC.
 
According to the publication, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs made attempts in relation to the Booking platform, as a result, a small text was added to the site stating that the hotel rooms are located in the north of Cyprus - in an area where human rights allegedly may not be respected.