Paphos People

Cyprus hopes to regain lost ground in its tourism sector from July and expects to be able to re-admit British and Russian visitors by then after weeks of lockdown, tourism minister Savvas Perdios said on Wednesday.

With hotels set to reopen on June 1, best expectations are that about 30 per cent of last year’s total of 3.98 million visitors will be received this year.

“The hit is massive, and we are trying to do our best now and do what we can for the remainder of the season. We have worked extremely hard to keep the virus in check here,” Perdios said.

The island will open on June 9 to travellers from countries including Germany, Greece and Israel. A group from mainly central Europe will be added on June 20, though Perdios said the list was being reviewed continuously.

“For our important markets like the UK, Russia and Sweden I expect in early July the situation (there) will allow their travel to Cyprus. I am quite optimistic about that,” Perdios said. Britain and Russia alone represent 55 per cent of arrivals.

https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/05/27/cyprus-expects-july-comeback-for-tourists-from-russia-britain/

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Dave
Moira And Dave

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

They cannot be serious!!!

Death wish 2020, set to premier in July.

There are no pockets (to put their cash in) in a shroud.

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I'll be back!

The MOST stupid idea, just when we thought Anastasiades was brighter than Boris!

I think what he does not realise is how many Brits have either lost their jobs or suffered a reduction in their income so will not be able to afford to visit even if allowed!
Really the only people not affected financially are pensioners like myself or the essential workers and that will not fill the hotels( although I am sure the NHS workers deserve a.holiday.

If you have the money:

''Some private jet companies have seen a rise in demand from wealthy Russians who wanted to spend time in the West during the coronavirus crisis but who were unable to take commercial flights amid tight restrictions by airlines and governments.

Passengers have been heading for countries such as Britain and Cyprus, where they own property, have residency rights, sometimes thanks to holding dual nationality, or have close relatives, according to industry sources.

They are paying from 16,000 to 25,000 euros per flight, a fee that can cover up to 13 passengers, the sources added''.

http://www.newsincyprus.com/news/239613 ... g-lockdown

The Cyprus government has prepared a large covid ward for those tourists who may fall sick with covid during their stay here....and has said that they can have free covid health care!

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52818749

We closed this island on 14 cases
With track and trace from day one we still reached over 900 cases

And we are looking to bring the virus back in from next week?

I understand that the economy is suffering ...people here are going without food and money hardly any have received any money promised at all ...some families have had their electricity cut off, some thrown out of their apartments ....things for a lot of people are very grim

But if the virus comes in and really takes hold next time
What on earth will happen to these poor people then?

Chalkies in Coral Bay ...have made over 10,000 meals to give to people with no money for food , they have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to feed the desperately poor

We are worried about what is going to happen in the coming weeks
Yes the world has to reopen...to get the economies up and running again
But at what price?

Because we have been in strict lockdown ...we in Cyprus have very little immunity built up in the community

Worrying times

When I read that Cyprus was going to pay for the care of sick tourist if they became ill I thought this has got to be fake news! but when the BBC discussed it on breakfast TV I knew it was real.

I believe what Cyprus has done to contain the virus is remarkable, but to risk exposing your self to a virus just to get the economy going is plain daft.

The sad thing is...people and businesses cannot exist without tourists
We are a tourist island ...we have to open
People are suffering and struggling
The loans for small businesses has not happened
We have no welfare state as such for the workers who have lost their jobs and incomes, the monies promised to lots of these workers has also not come through

Let’s pray that the virus is wearing itself out

Migmogs - You are right and sadly desperation can have unforeseen consequences, as the old sayings goe, Cyprus is "between a rock and a hard place" "Dammed if they do and dammed if they don't"

Fingers crossed nothing happens.

I agree with you migmogs, but some restaurants have opened, but where are all these customers ?
Loans ! A very bad economic climate to take a loan, May never pay it off. Indeed things are bleak.

All that we can do is to support our local restaurants
Though I have to be honest...we will be staying home again once all of the tourists start to arrive again next week

Stay safe all