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How to sell northern Cyprus

Features05 Mar 2019by Andrew Doherty

From ancient ruins to stunning beaches, northern Cyprus offers a plethora of cultural and beautiful environments, with plenty of affordable hotels to boot, says Andrew Doherty.

Andrew Doherty

Senior features reporter

Andrew Doherty

Senior features reporter

Kyrenia Harbour.jpg

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“People don’t realise how cheap it is to eat out, even in high-end restaurants. You can order a bottle of beer for about £1.”

Northern Cyprus is a destination that splits opinion. Since the establishment of the exclusion zone in 1974, which made it impossible for holidaymakers to cross the border until 2003, the destination has traditionally been less visited by Brits.

But for those keen to explore, it offers an abundance of golden beaches, serene mountains and cosmopolitan towns chock-full of restaurants and friendly locals.

Cyprus Premier is a tour operator specialising in holidays to northern Cyprus, and sales and marketing director Andrea King has plenty of insight into why the region makes for an ideal break.

Trade ties

Cyprus Premier is keen to start working more closely with the trade, says King.

“We want to provide agents with marketing support and we offer commission to consultants that have been integral to the booking. Our first brochure came out in 2017, and by 2018 we had really started to crack the market, sending 1,500 passengers to northern Cyprus.

“So far it’s been a positive start to 2019. We’ve just launched our second brochure and have started working with Advantage and Hays Travel. Ultimately, we want to hit the 3,000-passenger mark this year.”

King says northern Cyprus offers a range of accommodation options, from five-star resorts to self-catering apartments.

“We get a lot of repeat clients who love the hotels. The properties are very glitzy and well looked-after. It's a bit like Turkey in that respect,” says King, citing the Pia Bella hotel and the Noah’s Ark Deluxe Hotel & Spa in Bafra as bestsellers.

“My favourite property is the Acapulco Beach and Spa Resort, as it has something for everyone – I love the infinity pool for the adults, and the onsite waterpark is perfect for kids. A full body massage at the spa is less than £20, which is incredible.”

Affordability is another reason to consider northern Cyprus, says King.

“People don’t realise how cheap it is to eat out, even in high-end restaurants. You can order a bottle of beer for about £1.”

Safe stays

The FCO has stated that crimes against tourists are “not common” and that visitors may cross through certain checkpoints from the north into the south in a hire car, providing their insurance is valid in both sides of the country. At some checkpoints, it is possible to purchase insurance for either the north or the south.

“I have always felt safe in northern Cyprus,” says King. “The worry comes when clients think about crossing the border.”

However, customers can avoid this by flying into northern Cyprus via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Clients who want to fly directly from the UK will land in Larnaca in the south, before taking an hour-and-a-half transfer to the border checkpoint.

Culture vultures and history buffs alike will find plenty of sites of interest in northern Cyrus. King recommends a visit to the Salamis Ruins in Famagusta. The remains of this city, which flourished during the reign of the Romans, dates back to 1100 BC and are relatively well preserved, while Othello’s Tower – a 14th-century citadel built by the Lusignans and given its moniker during the period of British rule – makes for an engaging day excursion.

“A highlight is visiting the wild donkeys that roam freely on the Karpas Peninsula,” adds King. “Boat trips to watch the baby turtles hatching are very popular too. We offer a free trip into Nicosia to see the divide from the northern side, which is full of charming streets.”

There are also options for active clients, from enjoying a round of golf at the 18-hole championship course at the Korineum Golf & Beach Resort to diving in Kyrenia to explore the front section of a sunken jet.

With its combination of history, beauty and affordability, it’s little wonder this island nation is piquing interest.