Despite last Saturday’s terrorist attacks on the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Cypriot holidaymakers are not rushing to divert their vacation plans from the Middle East to other destinations, mainly in Europe.
What’s more, the small number of cancellations on board the Cypriot cruise ships that offer two- and three-day packages to Egypt, the Holy Lands, Lebanon and Syria, are quickly being replaced by last-minute bookings by low-budget travellers anticipating such cancellations.
A confident George Michaelides, Marketing Manager of Louise Cruises, said that one of their ships departed for Egypt as planned on Monday with 445 passengers, mostly Britons, on board. In addition, the unusual presence of Cypriots, who normally prefer weekend-cruises, also raised hopes that the August bookings would not be affected.
“We had a number of cancellations, which was understandable and anticipated. However, we also seem to be enjoying an unusually high rate of last-minute bookings,” Michaelides said.
“Actually, our bookings for the Holy Lands have doubled,” he said.
Michaelides explained that safety has always been a priority concern for Louis and that their cooperation with the Egyptian authorities is “impeccable”.
“For years now we have witnessed high levels of security, with discreet escorts accompanying our buses. Entering the pyramids compound at Giza and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo is only possible with our coaches.”
This counters the fears expressed on Monday by the president of the Association of Cypriot Travel Agents, Akis Kelepeshis, who said that some 2,000 Cypriot tourists were planning to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh in August, with the weekend’s events certain to deter holidaymakers from travelling.
“We are expecting cancellations, but we do not know on what scale,” he said.
As regards instructions or warnings, Kelepeshis was keen to point out that Cypriot travel agents, in conjunction with the Cyprus government, would not take any active steps to deter any prospective trips.
“We will not discourage any people from travelling to Sharm el-Sheikh. Dissuasion is the wrong tactic. If any travel agents decide to cancel their package deals to the resort then travellers will be compensated with alternatives of equal quality and appeal.”
However, should tourists themselves wish to cancel their trips, then refunds on deposits and confirmed tickets will be hard to come by. “We cannot refund consumers who have cancelled at their own will. From then on the matter becomes a concern of the Consumers’ Association.”
Following moves by the Dutch Foreign Ministry, the Cyprus government is also encouraging tourists to remain within hotel grounds, and not to venture into unsecured areas.
Increased terrorist activity worldwide is expected to have a significant bearing on the choice of destination, and the Cypriot tourist will be no different, Kelepeshis added.
But Louis’ George Michaelides was not too hopeful that the cancellations from Sharm el-Sheikh would become last minute bookings for holidays in Cyprus.
“Turkey is a point in question. The recent bombings in Kusadasi did not affect any travel, with many cruise ships simply avoiding stopping there during one leg, but returning a week later. Even the bombings in Istanbul and Antalya did little to affect tourist traffic to these popular destinations.”
Michaelides was adamant about the need for Cyprus to improve its image, as cost-wise the island is still considered an expensive destination.
“And with Antalya and Sharm el-Sheikh also getting expensive, the choice still remains for these resorts,” he said.
“We should proceed with promoting cultural and special interest tourism, that is enjoying a rapid appeal to many holiday makers who are opting away from cheap destinations and prefer to spend a bit more and get better value for money,” he added.
