Extreme scenarios causing unnecessary panic for Cyprus economy, board warns

The Famagusta regional tourism board (Etap) on Friday called for calm and restraint amid concerns over regional tensions.

In an official statement, the board said that while some hotel booking cancellations have been recorded in the Famagusta district, they are not expected to significantly affect the summer tourism season.

Specifically, the board said that it observed “an unjustified dramatisation of the situation in relation to the risks that Cyprus may face” in recent days.

Moreover, Etap Famagusta said that the Republic of Cyprus is correctly taking precautionary measures to strengthen public safety, particularly against the possibility of a random attack.

“Under no circumstances should the impression be created that Cyprus is a target of major importance for Iran or its allies,” the board said.

The tourism body therefore called on the public to maintain “restraint, calm and a realistic assessment of developments”.

It also warned that “the reproduction of extreme scenarios and the cultivation of a climate of war cause unnecessary panic among citizens and harm the country’s economy, particularly ahead of the new tourist season.”

The board also urged those shaping public opinion to show greater responsibility in their public comments.

“Everyone, and particularly those who shape public opinion, should be more careful and responsible in their public statements,” Etap said.

The statement acknowledged that some booking cancellations have occurred at hotel units in the district, but stressed that these appear to be limited in scope.

“It is a fact that some reservation cancellations have been recorded in hotel units in our district,” the board said.

“However, these cancellations mainly concern the immediate period, the next one to three weeks, and we do not estimate that they will substantially affect the summer tourist season,” it added.

Furthermore, the board expressed hope that the ongoing tensions in the Middle East will not last long.

“We hope that the tension currently prevailing in the Middle East will not have a long duration and that stability in the wider region will soon be restored,” the board said.

“Calmness, responsibility and unity are the most important assets we have as a country,” the statement concluded.