The use of the areas under the control of the Republic as an intermediate stop for transporting tourists to the occupied territories is taking on dimensions, especially since it is a common secret among travel agents that many holiday packages also include visits to areas not controlled by the Republic.
A photo showing a KAPNOS AIRPORT SHUTTLE bus outside the offices of the unrecognised Turkish Cypriot Airlines has circulated.
Initially, it was thought that the bus was parked outside the unlicensed airport of Tympou, which created even more negative implications.
However, according to information from the company, it appears that this was not the case.
A spokesperson for the company, responding to a question from Phileleftheros, assured that as KAPNOS, they do not operate routes to the occupied areas nor transport tourists to the Tympou airport.
What happens, according to the company, is that almost all travel agents include the occupied areas in their holiday packages. However, since many of them do not have their own buses, they rent “package” buses from bus companies with a driver to transport them to the occupied areas.
Responding to another question, the same company spokesperson mentioned that this particular solution is the least painful, given that the program includes a one-day excursion and the return of tourists to their base, which could be any tourist area under the control of the Republic.
According to the company, if there wasn’t a one-day excursion, tourists might potentially stay overnight in the occupied areas.
It is noted that for years, in several tourist destinations, travel agencies advertise excursions to the occupied areas and sometimes note that food and shopping are cheap there.
Apart from tourists being driven to the occupied areas by buses, there are also many tourists who cross to the occupied areas through the Ledras Street checkpoint.
They dine in occupied Nicosia, shop, and then return, to board buses and return to their hotels.
