"TRNC is on the way to becoming an important tourism destination and brand in the Mediterranean"
President Ersin Tatar has attended the “Internationale Tourismus-Börse” (ITB) Berlin travel trade show where Northern Cyprus is being promoted. The President spoke to Bayrak Radio and Television (BRT) Corporation during the visit.
President Ersin Tatar paid a visit to ITB Berlin, known as the world’s leading travel trade show, where he spoke to BRT about the importance of promoting the TRNC at important tourism fairs in different parts of the world.
President Tatar said that the support of friendly countries are needed to enhance the voice of the Turkish Cypriot People and their just cause, and for the isolation imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to be lifted.
“Germany has the third largest economy in the world, the biggest economy in the EU, and is home to nearly 4 million Turkish people who naturally have great influence in different walks of life and the politics of the country,” President Tatar said.
Stating that he is visiting Germany to hold numerous contacts and to participate in one of the world’s leading travel shows which is also featuring a stand of Northern Cyprus, President Tatar said: “ITB Berlin will be visited by hundreds-of-thousands of people, so it is very important our country, tourism organisations and agencies are represented here.”
Stressing that the TRNC has been participated in the travel trade show for many years, President Tatar said: "Our State, tourism organisations and agencies are proudly continuing to promote the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as a brand and destination."
President Tatar pointed out the stand has tourism professionals, investors, tour guides, hoteliers and travel agents of the TRNC, adding: "Tourism is one of the leading locomotive sectors of our country. The TRNC has, over the years, succeeded in becoming a brand name for tourism due to its historical and natural beauties, the sea, sun and sand, hospitality of the Turkish Cypriot people, and rich culture and gastronomy."
Underlining that the “TRNC has become an important destination and brand in tourism in the Mediterranean with following numerous tourism investments and the opening of the new terminal building of Ercan Airport", President Tatar stated that “considerable experiences have been gained in the tourism and hospitality industry”. President Tatar said that they have shared these developments and values with hundreds-of-thousands of people interested in tourism and travel to the TRNC at the ITB in Berlin.
Drawing attention to the importance of Türkiye's support in promoting tourism, President Tatar stated that there is an "influx of tourists to the TRNC via Antalya, which is indeed an important tourism centre in the Mediterranean".
Stressing that the objective is to increase the number of tourists visiting the TRNC and the time they stay in the country, President Tatar emphasised that this would also contribute to increased economic activity.
“From large luxury hotels to smaller boutique hotels, the TRNC has much to offer which is what is being promoted at ITB Berlin,” President Tatar said. “Tourism is naturally important for our country and should be embraced with the understanding that it also includes eco-tourism, gastronomy and health tourism, amongst others,” he said.
Referring to the interview he had with Michael Martenes from the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, President Tatar stated that the Turkish community of Germany are "instrumental" in voicing the views of the Turkish Cypriot people in Germany.
Pointing out that the unfair isolation, restrictions and obstacles imposed on the Turkish Cypriot People are unacceptable in this day and age, President Tatar said: "As a separate people, we have the right to live with our distinct language, culture, art, religion, language and traditions."
“I have come to Germany from the Antalya Diplomacy Forum,” President Tatar continued. “I have been explaining in my meetings that there are two Peoples and two States in Cyprus, and that a realistic and sustainable settlement can be reached on the basis of sovereign equality and equal international status. We as the Turkish Cypriot Side will not participate in negotiations on the exhausted federal basis, which has failed to produce a settlement for more than half-a-century. This position is fully supported by the Republic of Türkiye,” he added.
President Tatar stated that he met with MPs, mayors and non-governmental organisations in Germany and that they are voicing the views of the Turkish Cypriot People through different mediums. The President thanked them for the interest and hospitality shown. President Tatar also congratulated the Ministry of Tourism officials present at the fair and the tourism professionals from Cyprus.