The total turnover of the construction industry in the occupied territories reached £500 million, the House Commerce Subcommittee was told on Tuesday.

According to the relevant figures, 5,000 residences are sold to foreigners every year. Before the Turkish invasion, 2,500 foreigners were living in the region, while in 2004 foreign residents (except for the settlers) recorded an increase to 10,000.

It is worth noting that houses in the occupied areas are 50% cheaper than those in the free areas.

According to CTO data on tourism, tourists visit the north via Smyrna and Istanbul for a few days only due to the problems in security and health.

European tourist arrivals stood at 164,000 in 2004 against 130,000 in 2003.

As for the G/C, 1,430 stayed overnight in the occupied territories in 2003 against 2,848 in 2004.

95% of the 110 hotels that operate in the occupied north are G/C properties or are built on G/C land. They have 12,200 beds in 128 tourist units.

The free areas organize one-day trips to the north with almost 50 buses. Their cost is £30-£40.