Famagusta, Cyprus. The Famagusta regional tourism board (Etap) on Friday called for calm and restraint amid concerns over regional tensions. It said some hotel booking cancellations have been recorded in the district but are not expected to significantly affect the summer tourism season.
Etap statement on cancellations and public messaging
In an official statement, the board said it had observed “an unjustified dramatisation of the situation in relation to the risks that Cyprus may face” in recent days.
Etap Famagusta said the Republic of Cyprus is taking precautionary measures to strengthen public safety, particularly against the possibility of a random attack.
“Under no circumstances should the impression be created that Cyprus is a target of major importance for Iran or its allies,” the board said.
The tourism body called on the public to maintain “restraint, calm and a realistic assessment of developments”.
It warned that “the reproduction of extreme scenarios and the cultivation of a climate of war cause unnecessary panic among citizens and harm the country’s economy, particularly ahead of the new tourist season.”
Etap also urged those shaping public opinion to show greater responsibility in their public comments, saying: “Everyone, and particularly those who shape public opinion, should be more careful and responsible in their public statements.”
The statement acknowledged that some booking cancellations have occurred at hotel units in the district, but stressed that these appear to be limited in scope.
How do you assess the tourism board’s call for calm and restraint amid regional tensions?