A complex situation in the tourism sector in North Cyprus is expected following Türkiye’s decision to ban credit card instalment opportunities for overseas expenditures.
According to the new decision of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency in Türkiye, instalments via credit card for airlines, travel agencies and accommodation expenses abroad will no longer be allowed.
It is reported that this situation will negatively affect the tourism sector in North Cyprus.
DISCUSSIONS WITH TÜRKİYE AUTHORITIES ON THE ISSUE ARE TAKING PLACE
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Culture and Environment Serhan Aktunç said that Minister Fikri Ataoğlu met with the Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yilmaz on the issue and that discussions were carried out with the Development and Cooperation Office of the Turkish Embassy in a bid to change the decision.
THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION
President of the Travel Agencies Association Orhan Tolun said that this decision, taken in Türkiye due to its economical situation, would deal a blow to the tourism of North Cyprus. Tolun called on all economic organizations to be united against the decision.
Head of the Hoteliers Union Dimag Çağıner said that the decision would generate a great loss of tourists and the tourism economy will be negatively affected. “We have informed Türkiye that this situation is unacceptable. I do not doubt that the decision will be reimbursed,” Çağıner said.
Salamis Bay Hotel General Coordinator Mehmet Kral stated that 80 per cent of tourists visiting the island are Turkish citizens and that Türkiye’s new implementation on banning overseas credit card instalments would negatively affect tourism, which is already experiencing difficulties. Kral said that the occupancy rate in hotels has decreased to 36 per cent.
