The Foreign Ministry has issued a warning to travelers to Mali and Guinea-Bussau.

‘’Taking into account the state of instability in the northern part of Mali due to an on-going revolt, the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus are advised to avoid all but essential travel to certain areas and follow local or international news reports on the political and other developments in the country,’’ a press  release said.

‘’Additionally, taking into account the state of instability in Guinea Bissau due to a military coup d’etat, Cypriot citizens are advised to avoid non essential travel to the country,’’ it added.

In case of emergency, the ministry advises that the representation of the European Union is contacted at:

Delegation of the European Union in Mali, UATT Building, 4th Floor, River District, BP 115 Bamako, call 44 92 92 92, fax 44919191, email delegation mali@eeas.europa.eu or delegation-malipresse@eeas.europa.eu

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Hoteliers are expecting a boost in arrivals from the UK during the Easter Holidays as the Western Easter  this year coincides with the Greek Orthodox Easter and the Royal Wedding in London four  days later on April 29 is a Bank Holiday in Britain.

Cyprus Hotel Association (CHA) director  general Zacharias Ionnides  told: “For many  Brits, it is a unique opportunity to take their summer holidays early and Cyprus is among the destinations  they choose due  to its favourable warm climate and the cirsis in many North African resorts including  many to other Mediterranean destinations including Cyprus.

“It is premature to make indications for the whole of the summer season but April is expected to record a healthy growth  compared to last year, considering that on  April 16 ,2010 the eruption of the Icelandic volcano took place paralysing European skies for a fortnight,” he added. Arrivals from Britain recorded a 20% drop in March 2011.

Outgoing tourism is around 7% to 8% up during the Easter Holidays with Cypriots mainly travelling to Greece, said former president of the of the Cyprus Travel Agents Association (ACTA)

Akis Kelepeshis.

“The economic crisis has affected tourism put people will not stop travelling.

“We will see the effects of the economic downturn in the summer when masses are travelling. Now those who usually travel during Easter will still travel this year and Greece is the most popular destination,” he said.

“there are five charter flights to Corfu,Chios, Rhodes, Crete and Mytillini and Cypriots are travelling there for Easter. Other popular destinations this years are Athens, the Peloponnese, Salonica and Halkidiki,”he added.

Meanwhile, some 500 German travel agents visited Cyprus earlier this month for an educational workshop organised by giant tour operator Thomas Cook.

The German travel agents and a small number of Austria and Swiss travel agents, accompanied by foreign journalist  paid  a seven-day visit to Cyprus and participated in the “Travel Games” aiming to boost team spirit and cooperation.

The project is expected to bring major benefits for Cyprus as a tourist destination since participants had firsthand knowledge of the island and became familiar with Cyprus’ product, Cyprus tourism Organisation (CTO) announcement has said.

This will help them become more effective in promoting packages to Cyprus.

Thomas Cook brings a significant number of holiday makers to the island every year and it is one of main associates of the CTO in Germany.

The German market is a priority market for Cyprus tourism and total of 139,000 German holiday makers visited Cyprus in 2010.

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Most visitors travel to Cyprus on a package holiday which combines flights, accommodation, transport to  and from the airport, and often car hire. This can be the most cost- effective option international airports are located in Larnaca and Paphos; handling both scheduled flights and charters. Travel from mainland Europe to the island takes around 3-4 hours. Fares and schedules can be obtained from travel agents, airline offices and on the internet. You can also reach Cyprus by ferry, although this takes much longer. Boats sail from Greece to Limassol and from turkey to Kyrenia and Famagusta. The road network is good, with clearly marked signs. Cars drive on the left side of the road. A decent bus service operates between main towns and big resorts.

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The Cyprus Travel Agents Association (ACTA0 this week launched a campaign to inform travellers about ways to protect themselves from unpleasant surprises and to ensure they enjoy safe and comfortable trips aboard.

The association told a news conference that the only way travellers can protect themselves from possible risks during travelling is by booking through licensed and professional travel agents, members of ACTA.

The campaign includes a leaflet that ACTA members will offer to their clients, media advertising and the organisation’s website.

ACTA president Victor Mantovani said: “Our association believes that consumers can enjoy their trips without worries and concerns  if travel plans are entrusted in a professional travel agent.

“In this way travellers can be sure of correct organisation, continuous servicing and proper assistance if something goes wrong.

“With all that is happening internationally, we believe that the only sure and safe way for comfortable and pleasant trips is travellers’ cooperation with licensed and credible travel agents who have the know how, expertise and the right infrastructure,” he added.

Mantovani said that the idea that booking a holiday through a travel agent is costly , is only a myth.

“In most cases, travel agents are able to find the best possible price because they are in a position to know where to go to meet customers’ needs.”

ACTA appealed to the public to be extra cautious and choose professional travel agents to organise their trips aboard.

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The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) is intensifying efforts to attract more tourists from India, particularly for incentives travel. In an announcement this week, the organisation said it had presented prospects and characteristics of the Indian market to local tourism players. The large number of business people who attended the presentation proved once again the interest of hoteliers and destination management companies to expand their operations to new emerging markets. The main features of the Indian market were analysed, along with the constant enhancement of the country’s middle class, per capita income, and outgoing traffic to competitive neighbouring destinations and elsewhere.. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) is currently successfully implementing a targeted incentives scheme to attracting destination management companies from the Indian market, It hopes that with a thorough knowledge of the Indian market, cooperation with the Cyprus tourism industry and the presence of its office in the wider region, it will boost arrivals from the Indian market, especially for incentives travel

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