The “Island Cyprus” branding was unveiled in Istanbul by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, who highlighted tourism as the key to Cyprus’s future. This initiative aims to enhance Turkish influence in a geopolitically sensitive area.
Tatar pointed out significant growth in the Turkish Cypriot tourism sector, noting that flights have surged from five to six per week to 600 per month, with over 500,000 visitors from Turkey. He emphasized Turkey’s support, stating that the presence of Turkish military forces is essential for regional security and firmly rejected any discussions regarding reunification.
This campaign is viewed by many as an effort to validate the occupation and strengthen separatism, while ignoring UN resolutions and international consensus. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay reaffirmed Turkey’s support, forecasting that tourism revenues could exceed $61 billion in 2024 and linking the “Island Cyprus” initiative to Turkey’s broader regional tourism strategy.
In summary, the “Island Cyprus” initiative aims to showcase the natural and cultural resources of the Turkish-occupied region on an international scale, striving to establish lasting Turkish influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, despite opposition from the Cypriot government and global organizations.
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