Lack of UK holiday makers

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 7:52 am

Came back from Stansted last Saturday (BTW we had to pay over 1000GBP return for two on a dreadful Pegasus flight) and the lack of holiday makers was very obvious. Nearly three quarters of the plane emptied at Sab. Gok. airport and far less people got on. There were quite a lot of seats free for onward to Ercan. When we got to Carousel at Ercan most of the people waiting were London T.C's visiting family, TC's coming home or a few Expats coming home. It was obvious that very few of the of the travellers were actually coming on holiday. There was also far fewer people queuing in the "others" passport line. Is it lack of advertising in UK do you think.? I would have thought with the Lira conversion rate, loads of people would be coming, especially now that Tunis is not an option. However, if you wander down Lapta Strip, Starlings or Alsancak Lemar you can hear loads of Northern European accents. Obviously most of them come via different airlines.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 8:27 am

Personally, I can do without them. This morning in Sah Market the odd ones were in, one without a shirt and in bare feet and a "lady" wandering round in bare feet as well! Makes you feel proud that tourists could care less about the country they holiday in.

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 8:38 am

I think our proximity to the Middle East is putting some tourists off, it seems that many are going back to the old haunts of Benidorm and Majorca rather than travel here. The cost of flights and the fact that there are no direct flights doesn't help the situation either.
As to some of the tourists that do arrive, I have to agree with Waddo, we were driving along the main road in Iskele the other week, the workmen were on the central reservation watering the plants, walking at the side of the road were a couple with a child in a pushchair, the man, wearing shorts and a load of tattoos, was walking in front pushing the child followed by the woman who was wearing a very skimpy bikini, what is wrong with slipping a tee shirt or cover up on.

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 9:09 am

That's terrible..........a man seen walking along road wearing shorts and loads of tattoos, whatever next in NC

Art · Post by **Art** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 9:43 am

I have to agree with Elizebeth- being so close to the Middle East must be putting a lot of people off and of course the exstortionate air fares.

mikelapta · Post by **mikelapta** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 9:55 am

When I came here 10 years ago in Salamis for a singles holiday,I did not know there was a North and South divided island.....I recall learnıng about EOKA and Makarios being removed.I visited Lefkosa and never thinking I would need my passport,so shocked at seeing border guards.....I learnt to love Northern side,and read most about killing of innocent Turkish Cypriot civilians.But how the North has changed !!!!From quaint little villages,the seaside towns now with their high-rise hotels,casinos,night clubs,naughty East European escorts.we could be anywhere in the world.Certainly,apart from the building of a few Mosques,and the call to prayer from the Imam,these are the only reminders you are in a Muslim country.......Perhaps there is a 'cunning plan' to make TRNC the Monte Carlo of Turkey....get the rıch Turks here for gamblıng,then some added benefits !!! Just recently in Gırne,opposite Wed market,there was a delıghtful cafe,Dukkan.It is being developed ınto an underground and overground shopping mall.....ugh.Who will occupy those shops?Start of High Street decline? İf there is a working Minister for Tourism would love to see plans for the next few years.Or are we waiting like the water from Turkey,for the agreement to join both communities ??? TRNC was unique,Turkısh lira,support from Turkey....such natural assets as mountains,sea.Would I recommend my friends in UK to visit? Nah,nah,nah

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 10:41 am

Dalartokat wrote:That's terrible..........a man seen walking along road wearing shorts and loads of tattoos, whatever next in NC

It was more the woman walking along the side of the main carriageway wearing a bikini that in my opinion was inappropriate.

flowerfairy · Post by **flowerfairy** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 11:11 am

Elizabeth, I too have noticed a lack of respect this year. Many times I've driven down the Lapta strip, and seen women in bikini's and even thongs and men in speedo's whilst walking.
In my opinion, hotels should put notices up, asking people to cover up whilst walking the roadsides.
Where else in the world would people walk along the roadside in their underwear?

woodspeckie · Post by **woodspeckie** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 1:51 pm

waddo wrote:Personally, I can do without them. This morning in Sah Market the odd ones were in, one without a shirt and in bare feet and a "lady" wandering round in bare feet as well! Makes you feel proud that tourists could care less about the country they holiday in.

How did you know they were tourists? Were they carrying a sign to saying "Tourists"?

flowerfairy · Post by **flowerfairy** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 2:06 pm

the fact that some of them were entering a hotel drive gave me a bit of a clue.

Hippocampus · Post by **Hippocampus** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 2:34 pm

Let's face it, the country is no longer a pleasant place to take a holiday. The lovely town of Kyrenia has now been ruined by unattractive high rise buildings and the resultant traffic, every lovely view on the beaten track has been wrecked by huge signs (even the Five Fingers is now sporting several), and there are endless ugly grey unfinished building sites everywhere. The list goes on. The planners here should take a few trips to places such as Sardinia, which attracts a high amount and discerning class of tourist, and they will see where they are going wrong. There is a complete ban on ugliness, so much so that it is difficult to find anything because large signs are banned!

It is such a shame, this little country had a wonderful opportunity to learn by the mistakes of all the other countries in the Med. and create a holiday heaven, but they've blown it. All the people who have visited us from the UK in the last few years have thought that this place is a dump compared to what it used to be like 10 years ago. It is estimated that each visitor will tell 10-15 others of their experience, maybe word has got around.

As for the flight situation putting people off, people will put up with difficult journeys if the destination is worth it.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 2:51 pm

Woodspeckie, they don't need to carry a sign, not when they displayed the normal "Could not care less" attitude towards the country, the culture and the people that the normal person who lives here is more than happy to abide by. But then if you are happy to have people walk across a dirty car park in their bare feet, then track that crap all around the shop where you are, let us just call them "Visitors" and you can be happy with that.

I guess that a "Tourist" would never consider doing that, nor would they even think of having their sweaty body on display in a public shopping area! Guess they must have been something else then, poor lost souls suffering from ASPD who need to be protected and guided back to normality.

mikelapta · Post by **mikelapta** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 3:13 pm

Hippocampus,you make the excellent point that it was a pleasure to have that long journey to come to this once beautiful part of the world.Even the break in Istanbul was an experience.If I lived in UK now,would I want to visit TRNC ? Nope so many nicer places where they appreciate tourists.And places without the necessity of an hour's delay or plane change...........'shot in the foot'springs to mind about this place

jacob · Post by **jacob** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 4:04 pm

Just because a lot of whinging brits, who have no right of complaint about the changing infrastructure or landscape come on a forum will change nothing, the TRNC is not the UK and trust me it is still one of the least spoilt countries with many benefits and downsides.

The lack of tourists could well be down to IS.

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 4:31 pm

Maybe Villa owners can tell people also how to respect where they are, but this happens all over places where you have tourists.

If you are so concerned then approach the people and gently remind them of where they are. As for Sah Market, they have just opened, so politely ask them to put a sign up asking/telling people to cover up before they go in a supermarket. It's been done here in the UK, almost all seaside towns do that with the well known supermarkets and pubs also. Oh and by the way, you should see some of the women here in UK with Tattoos, it's here to stay, live with it.

Whilst we all want to think that people should know this, unfortunately life is that some people don't know/realise until they are told. Some of the tourists don't even know where they are, they are just told Cyprus and that's it!

I quite agree that walking along in a bikini is not the done thing, but sending mixed messages in NC is not right either, you either want tourists and put up with what goes with it or you don't and quite frankly without the bit of tourism there is, it will fall even more flat on it's face.

Where are the tourists, well they are elsewhere and with what is happening in Turkey(and they have suffered a fall in tourism already this year)now it will suffer even more and so will you in the future.

Robert157 · Post by **Robert157** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 5:45 pm

Do you not think the price of flights , this time of year are way to high , over £400 with Pegasus without accommodation
Makes Spain all inclusive holidays more appealing

Munchkin · Post by **Munchkin** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 5:52 pm

[quote="jacob"]Just because a lot of whinging brits, who have no right of complaint about the changing infrastructure or landscape come on a forum will change nothing, the TRNC is not the UK and trust me it is still one of the least spoilt countries with many benefits and downsides.

This definition is for you jacob -

xenophobia - dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.

Xenophobia is the unreasoned fear of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange.

"racism and xenophobia are steadily growing in Europe"

"there must be no room for xenophobia in today's Europe"

Don't forget jacob these whinging ex-pats Brits or otherwise pay the same taxes if not a lot more as an ex-pat than locals do so why shouldn't they come onto to a forum and vent there grievances ? you take this advice jacob think before you speak or list online.

I wonder what whinging nationality you are jacob ?

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 5:55 pm

I really think some miss the point. I could care less about what has happened in the UK, or in Alaska or anywhere else for that matter, I do not live there, I live here and that is why I am a member of a Cyprus Forum and not a UK Forum. I have absolutely nothing against Tattoos either, if people wish to have tattoos rather than wear excess jewellery or have their hair cut in (what some consider) strange designs and colors then go for it, it is their choice and if I feel offended by it then I will not inhabit the areas they frequent.

There is no way in this world that you can convince me that people visiting/on holiday from the UK would normally walk around their own super markets and car parks without shoes and shirts - for one thing, they would freeze and for another they would more than likely suffer injury to their feet. If they do not do it where they live now, why do I have to have a lesser expectation of them when they come here, why should I have to teach them how wrong they are to lower the foreigners perception of their own race? Why should a local super market have to put up signs - signs by the way that may well upset Tourists and stop them coming back!

Do they have no common sense, no social skills or are they simply selfish and proud of it? You say that due to lack of tourism we will suffer even more in the future? As a fortune teller would you like to attempt what will happen with the current peace process, what will happen with the gas/oil around the Island - best pray they don't find any worth extraction or the country will be overtaken by oil companies and end up with so much money they won't know what to do with it - or when will the water from Turkey reach my tap? Maybe you would like to tell us just what the residency rate in the KKTC hotels is this year, you will be surprised at what you find.

The country (KKTC) will do what the people want and there is nothing that a foreigner who has been accepted into the country can do about it. But I will display my disgust at those who used to be my countrymen when they lower the standard of their country in foreigners eyes! There is no excuse.

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 6:07 pm

Your opinion Waddo and my opinion, end of. But in my opinion you don't get either, end of.

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 6:08 pm

waddo wrote:I really think some miss the point. I could care less about what has happened in the UK, or in Alaska or anywhere else for that matter, I do not live there, I live here and that is why I am a member of a Cyprus Forum and not a UK Forum. I have absolutely nothing against Tattoos either, if people wish to have tattoos rather than wear excess jewellery or have their hair cut in (what some consider) strange designs and colors then go for it, it is their choice and if I feel offended by it then I will not inhabit the areas they frequent.

There is no way in this world that you can convince me that people visiting/on holiday from the UK would normally walk around their own super markets and car parks without shoes and shirts - for one thing, they would freeze and for another they would more than likely suffer injury to their feet. If they do not do it where they live now, why do I have to have a lesser expectation of them when they come here, why should I have to teach them how wrong they are to lower the foreigners perception of their own race? Why should a local super market have to put up signs - signs by the way that may well upset Tourists and stop them coming back!

Do they have no common sense, no social skills or are they simply selfish and proud of it? You say that due to lack of tourism we will suffer even more in the future? As a fortune teller would you like to attempt what will happen with the current peace process, what will happen with the gas/oil around the Island - best pray they don't find any worth extraction or the country will be overtaken by oil companies and end up with so much money they won't know what to do with it - or when will the water from Turkey reach my tap? Maybe you would like to tell us just what the residency rate in the KKTC hotels is this year, you will be surprised at what you find.

The country (KKTC) will do what the people want and there is nothing that a foreigner who has been accepted into the country can do about it. But I will display my disgust at those who used to be my countrymen when they lower the standard of their country in foreigners eyes! There is no excuse.

Well said Waddo, my thoughts exactly.

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 6:11 pm

Elizabeth, Well they would be wouldn't they, I would not expect anything else.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 6:12 pm

Well... I can't really disagree with any of the points that have been made, but I would say that it is very easy, when you are in a foreign Country, to clash with the local 'Mores' unintentionally!

Anything from showing the soles of your feet to sh****ng on the beach (I can't believe that I actually said that!) is unacceptable.

I once got told off (very politely) by a taxi driver somewhere because I was about to get into his Taxi without a shirt on (he quite naturally didn't want my sweaty back - ugh - on his nice clean seats!) - I was mortified 'cos I hadn't even thought of that, and my only excuse is that I was quite young at the time, and had not encountered the situation before, or had occasion to consider it...

Another time, in Morroco, a young lady in our company was getting a lot of 'unwanted attention' because she was wearing (short) shorts - I think that she made a lot of old men very happy! - and you can say that it was her fault for not properly researching attitudes in the country beforehand, but she had worked for a while in other Middle East Countries without getting the same reaction...

So Yes - information / education or whatever, via explanatory notes from Travel agents, and personal research, is essential to remind peolple that they are NOT at home!

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 6:17 pm

Dalartokat wrote:Elizabeth, Well they would be wouldn't they, I would not expect anything else.

Sorry if my opinion is different to yours, it seems a very childish response to my post, but he ho, each to their own, in your words, end of.

jacob · Post by **jacob** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 6:46 pm

Munch, really can't be arsed to reply in detail.

Wanted to let you know that I had read your post

jazzdolly · Post by **jazzdolly** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 7:33 pm

One hundred per cent with Waddo on this.

erol · Post by **erol** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 7:34 pm

waddo wrote: As a fortune teller would you like to attempt what will happen with the current peace process,

There will be joint referenda within 12-18 months. The TC community will vote in favour. 40% chance the GC community will vote in favor, 60% chance they will vote against

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 8:33 pm

So , although it is hard to remember , they DO have heat waves in the UK. Hands up anyone who has been motivated by one to wander around M and S in a Bikini?

Judging by people (otherwise apparently sedate middle aged to elderly) observed wandering from a local hotel in the general direction of Girne, in skimpy clothing, I think what happen is people get tired of sitting round the pool, decide to explore, get directions to the nearest interesting shops and set off without thinking they are moving from a holiday environment to a town where people live and work. A gentle reminder in hotels and self catering establishments to respect the local culture - and climate - might actually be appreciated .

I recently overheard a local tellling off a resident for going barefoot on the road: it had nothing to do with race, religion or culture: more sensibly snakes, spiders , centipedes and broken glass were mentioned. Judging by their rosy glow some of the bikini wearers and topless men a trip to the nearest supplier of high factor sunscreen might also be advisable.

Hedge-fund · Post by **Hedge-fund** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 9:07 pm

Can the next person that sees a woman walking around the streets in a thong bikini please get and post a photo so I can decide how offended I am.

PM would suffice.

Ta

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 9:26 pm

Erol, The mist is slowly clearing and I hear a knocking on the table as well!!! The voice in my ear say's the referenda will be held between May and June 2016 and the TC community will vote in favour by 73%. Sadly the GC community will just miss with a 49% yes! At that point, the USA will recognise the KKTC (but only if Turkey keeps letting them use the airbase in Turkey) and the rest of the world - apart from Greece - will follow on. Sorry, the voice is tired now and I just missed the lottery numbers for next week, maybe next time.......................

jofra · Post by **jofra** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 9:56 pm

Plain and simple fact - more and more people have the attitude "I'll do whatever I want/like, and if you don't like it - hard ****!"
Courtesy and consideration for others' preferences/cultures/customs are seen as a weakness - but as such, is a revolting display of arrogance and bigotry. As either a visitor or a resident in another country, one is being permitted - accepted - welcomed to that country, and that country's preferences etc should be respected and followed - if someone comes into your home, do you expect any less?
(Plain and simple - well, I'm not pretty, but I hope I'm not too simple... )

MoonageDaydream · Post by **MoonageDaydream** » Sat 25 Jul 2015 1:58 am

The original poster mentioned a lack of holiday makers on her flight. Yet in the UK there are lots of holidays in the TRNC being advertised, mainly all inclusives or half boards through Travelzoo etc., but of course most of these will be after the peak season.

The price of flights to and from Cyprus is high from now until at least mid-September, and that will be putting off those who have not already booked a package. The recent strength of the pound also means that Spain is cheaper again, and only two hours flying time away.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sat 25 Jul 2015 6:10 am

To put another slant on this - never forget that holiday makers have children in tow, well lets say 50% of the time. Flight cost for 2 adults and 3 children in the second week of October - on Turkish Airlines - is £1,032.00. Not bad really as it comes down to £203.00 per person. Now the big down side to all this is the kids have to be taken out of school and that costs another £150.00 per child - that is what the parents have to pay for a week out of school time but funny that when the teacher takes a holiday in school time they don't have to pay - YES they do take holidays in school time!!!!

I do not think its the flight costs keep people away, they will happily fly off to Disney World in Florida after all. I don't think that the tourists are staying away anyway - the vast majority now take all inclusive at the local hotels and see no reason to come out of the gates once they are there, everything is there for them and they feel safe.

My TC friend is in the villa rental business here and is having another busy year himself but tells me that the majority of tourists are in the hotels and you never get to see them, this has effected his car hire business to some degree but nothing to worry him.

Makum · Post by **Makum** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 10:41 am

Thomas Cook advising not to travel to Turkey or Cyprus due to possible terrorist threat

erol · Post by **erol** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 10:57 am

Makum wrote:Thomas Cook advising not to travel to Turkey or Cyprus due to possible terrorist threat

If they are they have not yet updated their 'travel news and updates' section of their website here

http://www.thomascook.com/travel-updates/

latest update there is from 20th July and states (in regards to Turkey)

Thomas Cook has a duty of care towards all its customers, and we would never knowingly offer holidays in destinations where we felt their safety might be compromised. Our customers’ welfare remains our primary concern, and we are confident that those due to travel to Turkey will enjoy a great holiday experience in line with their expectations.

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 2:12 pm

As I started the thread I thought I'd stick my fivepennywprth in again. This afternoon I had caused to come home via the rear of The Ship Hotel, Karaoglanoglu.. In the past it was, together with the Pia Bella, absolutely heaving around the pool area and bar, with towels etc draped over the balconies. Today the balconies were all tidy and towel free and the pool and bar area nearly deserted. The Ship, Riverside and Pia Bella used to be the hotels of choice for Brits. Not sure how Riverside and Pia Bella are faring?

MrA · Post by **MrA** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 2:23 pm

Not in the mainstream news yet

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/07/2 ... s-Company-

ardstrawray · Post by **ardstrawray** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 2:34 pm

Lived in bandit country in Ireland for years, so all this Thomas Cook hoo har is not going to stop me having a month or two in TRNC

KWAKERT4 · Post by **KWAKERT4** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 5:40 pm

"So , although it is hard to remember , they DO have heat waves in the UK. Hands up anyone who has been motivated by one to wander around M and S in a Bikini?"

I thought that was the idea, skimpies, or is that S & M

T

jacob · Post by **jacob** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 6:36 pm

Certainly not any one I know and certainly not me the people who wander around half naked are just disrespectful moronic chavs.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 7:12 pm

jacob wrote:...the people who wander around half naked are just disrespectful moronic chavs.

Oh come on!

Say what you mean!

Don't beat about the bush!

Ailsa · Post by **Ailsa** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 7:37 pm

Agree with Jacob!!!!! That is not going to help the attempted rapes in this country. Rapes that are committed do not even get the correct sentence!!!! But guess what??? Some young holiday makers are very vulnerable. When they finally realise that walking round half naked is a wee bit of a problem it might be too late.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 7:42 pm

https://www.thomascook.com/holidays/tunisia/ Duty of care?????

munchy · Post by **munchy** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 7:45 pm

Well said Ailsa

erol · Post by **erol** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 7:55 pm

waddo wrote:https://www.thomascook.com/holidays/tunisia/ Duty of care?????

From the thomas cook link I gave before re tunisa (14 July 2015)

At Thomas Cook, the safety and well-being of our customers is our primary concern. As a result of the change in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice on travel to Tunisia, Thomas Cook can confirm that it has cancelled all future bookings to Tunisia up until 31st October 2015.

In response to the recent change in FCO advice, Thomas Cook took the decision to bring all customers back to the UK using scheduled Thomas Cook flights and third party carriers. Between Friday 10 and Sunday 12 July 2015, eleven flights were scheduled to transport approximately 2,000 customers back to the UK.

jacob · Post by **jacob** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 8:08 pm

Keithcaley wrote:
jacob wrote:...the people who wander around half naked are just disrespectful moronic chavs.

Oh come on!

Say what you mean!

Don't beat about the bush!

[/quot

I told a woman in Supreme to "go put clothes on" not so politely, a while back, her wobbly bits were turning the milk sour., disrespectful tart.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 8:41 pm

I feel a little queasy now...

jacob · Post by **jacob** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 8:47 pm

Keithcaley wrote:I feel a little queasy now...

Sorry Keith,

I do try to be polite, oh ok, no I don't, I cannot abide unwarranted rudeness,

eyebob94 · Post by **eyebob94** » Thu 30 Jul 2015 8:14 pm

Now that`s abit of an oxymoron!

brian24001 · Post by **brian24001** » Fri 31 Jul 2015 7:20 am

Apologies for maybe heading this back towards the original topic, but we just returned from a couple of weeks in the yUK, and on more than one occasion, we were asked if we had problems getting money out of the bank, or if the supermarket shelves were empty, as we lived in Greece!

So many people worldwide not only think Cyprus is part of Greece, but know nothing of the division, and this may have put a good many off of looking at the place?

The fact that it is underlying Muslim here, close to Syria, and that people have gone on their holidays to the so called 'islamic state' via Turkey and Turkish airports may well have contributed to the issue?

muffin1 · Post by **muffin1** » Fri 31 Jul 2015 8:01 am

Went to Deniz Kizi beach and pool for the day yesterday. Normally at this time of year one has to search for beach beds and very often wait for a table at lunch time in the restaurant. Yesterday - numerous empty beach beds and only a few people in the restaurant so trade is really suffering this year.

Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Join us