Page 5 - ATA
P. 5
Pagina 12 Diasabra 25 Juni 2016
The curse of all inclusive
the Agrotourist aspect of the regions, the entertainment projects and exploit natural Cyprus has lost all respect as a quality
resources to attract Russian tourists. Biblio destination. No longer does Cyprus attract
hoteliers in the mid 90's made the decision to Globus plans to bring 350,000 Russian the hardy country lover, who Facebook social
attract lower class all-inclusive tourism. The tourists to Cyprus in 2013, operating 75 flights plugin You created this PDF from an application
last twenty years has seen a slow rise in all- a week, shared equally with Paphos and that is not licensed to print to novaPDF printer
inclusive hotel packages in Cyprus, resulting (http://www.novapdf.com) came to Cyprus for
in a downfall in quality tourism. All-inclusive Larnaca. the spring and autumn hiking, bird watching
deals were popularised by the rise of the and the adventures to see the natural beauty
package holiday in the 1970’s. The Russians are attracted to Cyprus by the of the protected Akamas. Where are the folk
amazing nature, olive and orange groves, that got excited about visiting the mosaics and
demand of all-inclusive has seen an overall beautiful landscape and sea. ancient monuments?
32 per cent increase over five years, with
most Tour Generally, all-inclusive is not their priority, n the 80’s and 90’s you would meet all sorts
although value for money is. Even the Troika of interesting travellers, supporting local
Operators selling 65 per cent as all-inclusive. refers to tourism as a significant export sector businesses and restaurants and venturing out of
of the highest importance for the additional their way to visit local village tavernas, serving
In May 2012, ‘First Choice holidays’ introduced domestic value and the creation of new jobs, authentic Cypriot food. They were genuinely
all holidays booked to the island will include with positive spin-off activities. interested in the charm and natural delights
flights, transfers, hotel accommodation and of Cyprus. “All inclusive is simply no good for
three meals a day, plus unlimited local drinks Ghost Towns Cyprus rural tourism†says Sofonios Potamitis,
for a single one-off fee. The decision of Tour Managing Director of Cyprus Villages. “We do
All-inclusive holiday makers do not tend to get support from the CTO – Cyprus
Operators to axe traditional package holidays wander from their hotels and discover the real
to sell all-inclusive vacations to Cyprus has Cyprus, which is not encouraging for the local Tourism Organisation as we host journalists,
resulted in wide-ranging implications for local economy. travel agents and educational groups in an effort
traders. to promote ‘Cyprus Villages’. He concludes by
To support local dying trade, Tour Operators saying that “the CTO must change direction,
Lakis Avraamides, Director of the Regional should take some responsibility to encourage as far as promoting Cyprus as an all inclusive
Tourism Board was reported to say that all- all-inclusive tourists to go on local excursions destination and revert back to promoting Cyprus,
inclusive was not a good to experience thetraditions and authentic as a rural destination.†“To my knowledge,
cuisine of a country. Local business owners all-inclusive was originally introduced for
You created this PDF from an application that destinations that visitors were not allowed to
is not licensed to print to novaPDF printer claim that such deals kill their trade because leave the resort, mainly due to health and safety
(http://www.novapdf.com) 1decision. It is all-inclusive tourists rarely venture out of their reasons,†says restaurant and hotel owner
a trend, which people seem to want, but it hotel complexes. Restaurant and bar owners Stavros Pantelides. “The large travel agents
will definitely affect the market and will be a in Paphos, Protaras and Ayia Napa have decided to exploit the concept of all-inclusive
setback for continuously complained that all-inclusive to maximise on their profits. Travel agents have
tourists add absolutely nothing to the local the travellers’ money at least six weeks prior to
all destinations. The British in particular, economy. Tourism officials across Europe the holiday. Previously the policy was for the
are more price conscious and all-inclusive have complained that all-inclusive deals have travel agents and hoteliers to have the share
provides economic security to visitors, resulted in local bars, restaurants and shops of the flight and accommodation and for the
especially families. closing. Lakis Georgiou owner of Moonlight local restaurants, bars and shops to have the
Restaurant in Ayia Napa says, “All-inclusive spending money from visitors. With all-inclusive,
Julia Osovskaya, resident in Russia who is seriously affecting our trade.†He further the travel agent receives all.†“Travel agents
travels to Cyprus regularly says, “Cyprus is stated that he was very concerned about the paying hotels on average two months after the
fast becoming an even more popular holiday future economy for local trade. visitor departs has caused a further blow to
destination for Russian tourists and demand the industry’s survival. Often too, travel agents
for all-inclusive is on the rise. She adds to this Elena Savvides-Doghman of Orexi Catering register complaints to delay payment and some
Services says, “An attempt to become a have been known to close their company and
statement by further saying that, “it’s possible world leader in mass tourism by encouraging open another one leaving a substantial debt to
that Russians who travel to Egypt and Turkey, all-inclusive in Cyprus, has resulted in hotel owners who are obligated to pay
being the most popular destinations from this beautiful island becoming a byword
Russia due to good value for money, are for a shabby ghetto of neon and peeling the costs and taxes.â€
searching for new affordable destinations, like concrete with local restaurants, tavernas and
shops closing.†The average all-inclusive “Unfortunetely, Cyprus now attracts an all-
Cyprus. Russians who travel to Egypt and holidaymaker prefers to stay in the hotel inclusive tourist who are interested in a cheap
Turkey are familiar with the all-inclusive exploiting the concept of drinking and eating deal. The little shops,
system and it is what they will expect to see all day, rather than venture out to experience
when they travel to Cyprus.’ authentic Cyprus.All-inclusive appeals to tavernas, restaurants and all the other attractions
families, who can exploit the constant flow of Cyprus created to attract quality and cultural
Osovskaya believes that “Cyprus is becoming food, drink and snacks all day long, with the tourism, are Iclosing due to all-inclusive. So who
more popular to Russian visitors due to the is loosing? First of all the all-inclusive visitors as
ease of formalities with visas, which are free comfort of knowing there will be no extra they get cheap food and
to Russians and easy to obtain. Coupled charge at the end of their stay.The question
with affordable all-inclusive, Russians are is, is the idea of eat and drink all you like for drink and poor service and do not experience real
attracted to Cyprus as an alternative holiday one price exploited? “What began as a way of Cyprus. Then the owners of small businesses
destination.†attracting more tourists to an island which was who serve the
packed to the hilt every summer with holiday
Commercial Director Julia Tugolukova of makers, mainly from Britain, has resulted tourist trade and on a corporate level, the hotel
Biblio Globus, one of Russia’s three main tour in a bacchanalian orgy of disrespect,†says owners who suffer from a cash flow crisis due to
operators, conveyed a message at the 35th Savvides-Doghman. travel agents not paying promptly, if at all.â€
CHA – Cyprus Hotel Association conference
in Nicosia, that Cyprus must develop major Quality Destination Destroyed.
