Brits flock to Cyprus

CYPRUS has enjoyed its best year for UK visitors since the downturn following September 2001.

Cyprus Tourism Organisation chairman Photos Photiou said arrivals from Britain have risen by 7% this year to 1.3 million. Total visitor numbers show a similar increase.

Speaking at World Travel Market, he said the numbers were boosted by a strong advertising campaign and the decision to focus on spa, activity and religious tourism, as well as sun and sea.

The government allocated an extra £5.53 million for worldwide tourism promotion this year, taking the total to £45 million.

Photiou said: “We know sun and sand is no longer enough. We’re working on new products to make Cyprus more attractive in terms of hotels, services and restaurants.”

In a separate development, Northern Cyprus has asked the Greek-Cypriot south to put aside political differences and run a joint tourism campaign for the first time.

Details emerged at WTM as the north’s minister for economy and tourism, Dervis Kemal Deniz, called for the European Union to lift economic sanctions on the state.