Erhürman: We Sometimes Exaggerate The Direct Flights Issue

Speaking to a group of journalists from Turkey, Erhürman said that despite the country’s strong tourism potential, its attractions have not been promoted effectively. He stressed that the core issue is not flights, but the failure to properly showcase the island’s cultural and natural assets.

Tourism is a key source of income, Erhürman said, yet the country has not succeeded in clearly conveying its appeal. “We have not been able to properly introduce Othello Castle, Kyrenia Castle, Lefke, or the natural beauty of the Karpaz region to either tourists from Turkey or Europe,” he noted. “We sometimes exaggerate the issue of direct flights. There are many island countries in the world that you cannot reach with direct flights. Yet they have an appeal. The real question is whether you can communicate that existing appeal. We still have largely untapped potential in tourism.”

Erhürman also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote the country’s cultural heritage, Ottoman-era landmarks, natural landscapes and gastronomy through various projects. In this context, he said talks had been held with Cypriot film director Derviş Zaim and Hüseyin Köroğlu regarding a television series to be set in Cyprus.

He added that special promotional days and events could be organised in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, as well as in destinations including Brussels and the United Kingdom, to promote the TRNC internationally. “We need to tell our own story and rebuild our visibility from the right starting point,” Erhürman said.