British holidaymakers are shunning Cyprus for their breaks, with many vowing to avoid the Mediterranean island following disappointing experiences.
Despite its long-standing popularity and a high rate of repeat visitors over 30 per cent, according to the Mirror a growing number of travellers are expressing discontent and cancelling trips.
Tourists have complained of the extreme heat, overly pushy salespeople, and packed beaches that have tarnished their holiday expectations, with one dissatisfied visitor telling Cyprus Mail they would prefer to “spend all my time in my room”.
Explaining his ordeal, the tourist said: “We looked up the weather before we came. But it said Cyprus would be in the mid-30s in July, and we knew that’d be okay because we’ve been to Spain before and it’s the same. What we didn’t expect was 40-plus. For days on end.”
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Recounting her negative experience, another visitor relayed to the publication: “Ayia Napa was disgusting. Drunk Brits everywhere, even on the beach. The music was so loud we couldn’t sleep. And everyone was selling something. I don’t really want to come back.”, reports the Express.
A frustrated vacationer remarked about the overwhelming development on the island, saying: “Everywhere you look, there’s a new development going up. Even the mountain villages that used to be so peaceful and authentic are tourist traps now! “.
The fall in reservations is hitting Cyprus hard, with an estimated £30 million lost, raising alarm bells for the future of its crucial tourism sector.
Kostas Koumis, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Tourism, has acknowledged the significant impact of 30,000 cancellations earlier this year but remains optimistic about the country’s tourism industry. He emphasised growth in numbers and revenue despite these challenges.
In a statement, Koumis said: “There is no doubt that the current year is a year full of challenges for the tourism industry worldwide. The financial situation in many European countries, the reduction in the purchasing power of million of households internationally, along with several other challenges have led to stakeholders concerns regarding the performance of the sector, nevertheless the performance of the Cyprus tourism industry remains strong and the sector shows resilience.”
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