TRNC Outraged by Direct Cruise Services Between Turkish Resorts and Cyprus Ports

Members of parliament in Northern Cyprus have expressed concern about the direct cruise routes operating between Turkish resorts such as Antalya and Marmaris and the ports of the Republic of Cyprus – Limassol and Larnaca. According to the MPs, while "tourism in Northern Cyprus is facing one of its worst periods," tourism cooperation between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus continues to flourish.

Sami Ozuslu, a member of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), raised the issue. He explained that some cruise ships are now stopping at both Turkish ports and those in the southern part of Cyprus.

• "At the same time, Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus have not opened their air and sea ports to each other due to 'non-recognition,'" the MP emphasized.

Ozuslu also noted that online applications, which track maritime and air traffic via satellite, clearly show cruise ships operating direct routes between Antalya-Limassol, Marmaris-Larnaca, and Alanya-Limassol.

• "For example, satellite images reveal that a cruise ship named Marella Discovery, which departed from Limassol port at 6:00 PM on October 2, arrived in Antalya at 8:00 AM this morning, October 3," the MP stated.

It was also reported that one of the companies offering direct routes between Turkey and Greek Cypriot ports is the Germany-based TUI. Recently, this company called on Greek Cypriot travel agencies to "halt operations in the northern region."

Despite this, cruise tours continue to be widely advertised on TUI’s promotional pages. One advertisement states that "a ship departing from Marmaris on October 28 will arrive at Larnaca port in Cyprus, then head to Alanya port in Turkey, make a stop on the Greek island of Rhodes, and finally dock in the Turkish resort of Bodrum." Similar advertisements from other companies have also been circulating online.

Ozuslu reminded that several years ago, a tourism minister had announced that cruise ships would dock in the ports of Famagusta and Kyrenia in Cyprus. However, instead of TRNC ports, these cruise ships are heading to Larnaca, Limassol, and Ayia Napa.