The target to attract more tourist arrivals in 2022 than last year remains feasible despite the Ukrainian crisis, Deputy Minister for Tourism Savvas Perdios has told CNA.

In statements to Cyprus News Agency, Perdios said the loss of tourist arrivals from Russia, Cyprus’ second largest tourist market will be offset by increased arrivals from the UK, Cyprus’ main tourist arrivals pool, Israel and other destinations with which Cyprus has established increased air connectivity.

Perdios met with tourist stake holders on Tuesday to assess the state of play on the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which sparked harsh economic sanctions by the West and pushed the ruble to slide in new historic lows, while the EU has closed its air space to Russian aircraft.

“This season will be hard but it will not be grim,” he said.

Tourist arrivals from Russia and Ukraine amounted to 600,000 in 2021 (out of a total of 1.94 million), while the Deputy Ministry was estimating 800,000 tourist arrivals from both countries combined this year, with these arrivals considered as lost.

“The situation following the outbreak of the war is a considerable loss,” Perdios said, noting that this loss in arrivals will impact especially the region of Famagusta.

He also noted that even if flights to and from Russia would be restored the slide of the ruble would render holiday travel more difficult.

“Therefore, we see a serious possibility of not having these arrivals or the arrivals (from Russia and Ukraine) will be much less,” Perdios said, pointing out that you cannot replace such a large market overnight, regardless of the actions taken to diversify Cyprus’ tourism.

However, the Deputy Minister noted that the losses in tourist arrivals from Ukraine and Russia could be offset from the increased development from Britain, whish shows increased interest, but also from other destinations which show increased interest, following actions taken by all tourist stake holders in recent years.

These destinations are Israel, Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Sweden and Hungary.

“These markets will hold between 20 and 40 flights per week,” he said, pointing out that flights from Russia and Ukraine were estimated between 100 and 120 flights weekly.

Perdios also noted the Deputy Ministry will make the most of all means at its disposal to further strengthen these destinations such as digital promotion campaigns, extraordinary collaboration with tour operators and airlines.

He also noted that as the tourist industry is recovering from the shock of 2020 when it was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry continue to aim for more tourist arrivals in 2022 than the previous year.

“We continue to believe this target is feasible,” he said.

Responding to a question on whether this could be achieved given the global circumstances, Perdios pointed out that last year Israel was not available given restrictions due to Covid-19, while the UK did not allow holiday travel before August.

“Therefore, given the increase from Britain and other countries, the fact that a lot of people will travel this year, we continue to believe that this target is feasible,” he said.