Low forest lands are endangered with proposals for more hotels in North of Cyprus. Giving more permits to open casinos are being violated in the constitution under the Gambling Regulation Amendment Bill.
BARÇIN “BOUNDLESS CASINO PERMISSION”
Although a maximum of five facilities are granted Casino permission except for the Bafra (Vokolida) Tourism Investment area, additional unlimited permission is being given under the Gambling Regulation Amendment Bill.
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) deputy Devrim Barçın criticized the changes planned to be made to the bill.
Barçın said that according to the new law, Casinos should not be in the city center, and should be 500 meters away from schools. He added that before a new facility will be opened, the location will be taken into consideration to see how many Casinos are already in that area. Karpaz (Karpasia) Tourism area will be exempt from this law.
Barçın noted that in the bill the law for bed capacity for hotels with marinas will be changed and will be reduced from 500 to 300 beds and Casino permits will also be given.
Reminding that Casino and Operating Licenses are given for 3 years, Barçın said that this period is expected to be increased to 10 years.
ATAOĞLU “MANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS WILL BE BUILT IN THE BAFRA AREA”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu said that many business people are waiting for an opportunity to open a hotel in North Cyprus, and some want to form partnerships.
According to Bağımsız news, “As the Bafra low forest land was declared a tourism area in 2003; many low forest lands can be identified and declared as a tourism area with the approval of the investor.” Ataoğlu is cited as saying. Stating that they determined places at 5-10 different locations, Ataoğlu said that following purchase of land, the investor has permission to open a hotel, a nursing home, or a hospital.
Stating that they are trying to create alternative tourism models in the Bafra region, Ataoğlu said that they are initiating sports investments and that they are planning to build many golf courses and football fields in the region.
Underlining that many entertainment centers will be built in Bafra, Ataoğlu said, “We are also working with the sports tourism department, we aim to build many football fields so that teams coming to the country will be able to camp and play friendly matches”.
