Friday, August 12, 2022
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

Cyprus tourism rebounds despite Russian sanctions

AFPbyAFP
August 4, 2022, 6:00 pm
in Business, Transport & Tourism
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
97
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

By Chloe Emmanouilidis

AYIA NAPA, Cyprus—Beside sparkling Mediterranean waters at the Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa, the bars are bouncing with foam dance parties as tourist numbers rebound following two tough years of pandemic.

But one key nationality is effectively missing: Russian visitors, as the once lucrative market has been hit by European Union sanctions imposed after Moscow invaded Ukraine.

“This year, we expected 800,000 Russian tourists,” said Haris Loizides, head of the Cyprus Hotel Association. 

An aerial picture shows a view of Nissi Beach in the Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa, one of the Mediterranean island’s top tourist destinations, on July 17, 2022. AFP

The Russian market “was wiped out from one day to the next,” said Christos Angelides, head of the Pancyprian Association of Hotel Managers. “Nobody was prepared for this huge change.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The key tourism sector, which had contributed 2.68 billion euros ($2.72 billion) in 2019, 15 percent of GDP, is still counting the cost of the disastrous years of COVID travel chaos.

In 2019, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a fifth of tourists were Russian—782,000 out of 3.9 million—making it the holiday island’s second largest market after Britain.

Last year, despite tough COVID travel restrictions, that share rose to more than 25 percent, with arrivals from Russia totaling nearly 520,000 out of 1.93 million.

Operators had hoped this summer would see Russian numbers return to pre-pandemic levels.

Flight bans, banking sanctions

Some 18,000 Russians are resident in Cyprus, many in the seaside town of Limassol—dubbed by some “Moscow on the Med.”

But, with EU sanctions on Russia continuing and with no let-up in the bloodshed on Ukraine’s battlefields, just 17,000 Russian tourists came to Cyprus between January and June. 

“Our hotel is doing well, but others—who had 100 percent Russian clientele—are not,” said Angelides, who is also manager of the Napa Mermaid Hotel.

Nicosia and Moscow have close political and cultural ties, but when Russia sent troops into Ukraine, the Cypriot parliament unanimously passed a resolution condemning the invasion.

Cyprus, the EU’s most easterly member, backed the bloc’s actions on Moscow, including a flight ban and sanctions barring some Russian banks from the SWIFT financial system.

The tourism ministry says fewer Russian visitors could mean some $600 million in potential lost earnings.

Overall, tourist arrivals in Cyprus are bouncing back, thanks to strong demand in other key markets following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

From January to June, Cyprus recorded 1.2 million visitors, nearly five times the level last year, and the white sand beaches at Ayia Napa are crowded with sun seekers and partygoers.

But that is still 25 percent down on the same period of 2019, when 1.63 million tourists came to Cyprus.

“We have somewhat limited the damage, but it is impossible to replace this huge number of customers,” Angelides added.

‘Big gap’

In the first half of this year, British tourists made up nearly two-fifths of visitors, followed by Israelis, making up seven percent of visitors, then Poland, Germany and Greece.

“There have been many attempts by several sectors to encourage tourists from other markets, such as the German, Polish, Italian and French markets,” said Charis Papacharalambous, spokesman of the Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA).

But it was still “very difficult to fill the big gap” left by Russian tourists, he added, with industry experts fearing the impact may still worsen, since many Russians previously preferred to visit later in the year.

For Loizides, from the island’s Hotel Association, the war in Ukraine has also provided another problem.

Surging global costs of fuel sparked by the conflict have driven electricity prices higher. 

With tourists turning air conditioning on full blast to counter the sweltering heat of Cyprus, hotels are struggling with “astronomical bills,” Loizides said.

“The EU must remedy this situation and help companies, especially at a time when inflation is raging,” he added.

Tags: Ayia NapaCypriot resortCyprusCyprus tourismRussian sanctions
ADVERTISEMENT
AFP

AFP

Related Posts

ABS-CBN acquiring 34.9% stake of rival TV5 Network

byDarwin G. Amojelar
August 11, 2022, 7:30 pm
0
148
Brazil farmers bet on environmentally friendly cotton

ABS-CBN Corp. on Thursday announced the acquisition of a 34.9-percent stake in TV5 Network Inc. that will expand the former’s...

Read more

Fitch Solutions hikes PH growth forecast to 6.6%

byJulito G. Rada
August 11, 2022, 7:25 pm
0
132
Fitch unit sees full recovery of PH spending by next year

Fitch Solutions, a unit of Fitch Group, raised on Thursday its 2022 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.6 percent...

Read more

Jollibee’s profit jumped by 186% to P2.78b in Q2

byJenniffer B. Austria
August 11, 2022, 7:20 pm
0
136
Jollibee to open stores in Scotland, Malaysia to sustain expansion

Fast-food chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp. said Thursday net income surged 185.8 percent in the second quarter to P2.78 billion...

Read more

Converge posted 21% increase in first-half income to P3.95b

byDarwin G. Amojelar
August 11, 2022, 7:15 pm
0
137
Converge calls government attention on damaged cables, works overtime to avoid service disruption

Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. said Thursday net profit climbed 21 percent in the first half from a...

Read more

Monde’s noodle sales fall 15% after EU warnings

byJenniffer B. Austria
August 11, 2022, 7:10 pm
0
132

Monde Nissin Corp. said Thursday noodle sales fell 15 percent in July after several European countries issued health warnings and...

Read more

SPNEC board OKs change in name

byJenniffer B. Austria
August 11, 2022, 7:05 pm
0
136
SPNEC price up slightly in market debut

Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp. said Tuesday its board of directors approved a change in its corporate name to SP...

Read more

Stories you may like

  • Zubiri new Senate President, vows to uphold chamber’s independence

    Marcos sees stronger PH-India relations

    5752 shares
    Share 2301 Tweet 1438
  • Showbiz icon Cherie Gil dies at 59

    2618 shares
    Share 1047 Tweet 655
  • Fuel rollback next week, power rate cut in August

    1221 shares
    Share 488 Tweet 305
  • Appeal to BBM and Acuzar

    874 shares
    Share 350 Tweet 219
  • Morissette lends voice to powerful anthem

    642 shares
    Share 257 Tweet 161

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • Sneakers for Makati : AB4.0
  • Sugar import order probed
  • Marcos tells DTI to ensure cheap fertilizers for farmers
  • Another oil price rollback likely as world economy further stalls
  • LTFRB looks at ‘balanced’ higher bus rates
  • NTC questions ABS-TV5 joint venture
  • SC sets new ruling on copyrighted music
  • Number coding scheme back in NCR next week

Advertisement

Latest News

NTC questions ABS-TV5 joint venture

byManila Standard
August 12, 2022, 1:05 am
0
134

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is set to review the deal that would allow ABS-CBN to broadcast its programs on...

Read more

SC sets new ruling on copyrighted music

byRey E. Requejo
August 12, 2022, 1:00 am
0
134
Omicron now dominant virus variant in US

The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that the act of playing radio broadcasts with copyrighted music using loudspeakers (radio-over-loudspeakers) without...

Read more

Number coding scheme back in NCR next week

byJoel E. Zurbano
August 12, 2022, 12:55 am
0
134
MMDA: Modified number coding to start after May 9 polls

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday announced it will reimplement the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or...

Read more

‘COVID-19 calamity decision soon’

byVito Barceloand3 others
August 12, 2022, 12:50 am
0
139
COVID tally hits highest mark since Feb. 25

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will consider the recommendations of the Department of Health (DOH) on whether to extend the COVID-19...

Read more

Sy siblings, Villar, Razon top 2022 Forbes rich list

byJenniffer B. Austria
August 12, 2022, 12:45 am
0
135
Sy siblings, Villar, Razon top 2022 Forbes rich list

The Sy siblings, heirs to the fortune built by the late retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr., took the top spot...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App