Russian tourist arrivals to Cyprus increase

Page last updated at 12:53 GMT, Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 17:53 EST

CNA - Tourist arrivals from Russia record an increase and at the same time Ukraine appears to be a new promising market, the President of the Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA) Viktor Mantovanis said after a meeting he had with the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mantovanis said that there is a decrease in bookings from Britain, Germany and Holland, however there is an increase from Russia as well as other markets, expressing hope that by the end of the year the tourist arrivals will record a small rise.

According to Mantovanis, the increase from Russia is around 20-25%, whereas the bookings from Britain record decrease of 10% while there is a drop in bookings from Germany and Holland around 15% respectively.

The ACTA President said that the meeting was very fruitful and that they exchanged views on various issues, expressing the hope that many of these issues, such as the visa procedures from third countries, competition from other markets and the opening of new flight destinations will soon be resolved.

He also referred to the issue of the employment of foreigners in the tourism market, noting that we must find a way for Cypriots to get back in the labor market.