United Kingdom tour operators avoid Cyprus over COVID-19 testing

Tourists from the United Kingdom, one of the regions hardest hit by COVID-19, won't come to Cyprus if they have to be tested for the virus, tour operators said, although the island – a former colony – is a favorite of the British, with expatriates living there.
Tourism Deputy Minister Savvas Perdios said the health protocols designed to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure visitors it's safe to come aren't working with UK tour companies who said they won't send tourists if testing is required.
“At least until mid-August, major travel agents will be sending their tourists to destinations which do not require tests,” Perdios told the state broadcaster CyBC about the dilemma of wanting to keep safe people who don't want to be.
“Travel agents have other options and expectations. Seeing as there are options for them to go to other countries without checks and a test, they prefer the solution which for the time being is easier for them. Having said that, I do not mean that Cyprus needs to follow suit,” he said, The Cyprus Mail reported.
Tour operators Tui and Jet2 said they won't fly to Cyprus unless the UK is moved to a category that doesn't require testing despite the virus still rampaging in Britain and the rest of that region.
The UK remains in the list of countries which cannot fly to Cyprus but that would be lifted on August 1, likely too late to save a summer season seeing far fewer visitors than were expected, with people also afraid to fly or stay in hotels or short-term rentals.
As of that date, UK travelers could enter Cyprus but only if they have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure, but the tour operators are balking and demanding no tests or they won't send anyone.
“The volume drivers (Tui and Jet2) announced that they would be rescheduling their UK flights to Cyprus and will not bring flights here until August 15, and only if we put the UK into category A. If we don’t do that, we aren’t going to have any flights with them,” Euripides Loizides, spokesman of the Paphos Hoteliers told the paper.
Tui and Jet2 are the main tour operators for Cyprus, especially Paphos and many hotels are reliant on their custom he said, although Ryanair and other airlines will fly from the UK despite massive cancellations because of Cypriot requirements.
Vasilis Stamataris, Chairman of the Cyprus Travel Agents’ Association (ACT) told the paper that travel agents still prefer destinations that don't test despite the risk to the tourists and residents of the countries they are visiting.
“There are a lot of logistics involved. When there is an organized schedule it requires commitments, guarantees, confirmed flights. It is a huge ordeal if, upon arrival to Cyprus, someone ends up testing positive,” he said.
The cost of taking the test in the UK for a family of four prior to their arrival could amount to 800 euros ($911.20) a prohibitive cost for many on top of the price of travel, accommodations, food, and spending.
Cyprus said it would pay the expenses of anyone who gets COVID-19 while on vacation but that isn't persuading people to come, the hassle just not worth it this year which could be a write-off for the country's critical tourist industry.
Countries like Spain – devastated by COVID-19 – are so eager to get the economy going they are risking letting anyone in without tests, with travel agents preferring those destinations despite the health hazards.
“If the fight in airports is lost, then the war against the coronavirus is lost,” virologist and member of the government’s scientific advisory team Leontios Kostrikis told the paper, saying that more testing is needed.
The government announced earlier this week it will double the daily number of random tests to arrivals to 600 per day. Authorities are also set to begin pool testing, where small groups of people are tested using only one test.
Lozides said, “We have to face it and be responsible for ourselves and others. We can’t do what we want to do and have to follow some safety steps. People can still have a lovely holiday. The introduction of wearing a mask in both Germany and the UK is an indication that people have to understand that this is what has to be done and not be arrogant. We all have to compromise.”
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: AyianapaProtaras
26/05 22:16
Former Archbishop of America honored by National Kapodistrian University of Athens
26/05 20:25
Newton Shows and St. Paul Cathedral to jointly present Long Island Greek Festival
26/05 15:32
Reuters report: Greek bonds trading as though they already have investment grade
25/05 20:53
New ministers in caretaker government announced ahead of second elections in Greece
25/05 20:08
Greek professor wins WHO annual award for anti-smoking campaign efforts
25/05 17:12
Hike in coronavirus infections and flu cases with 52 deaths In Greece
25/05 14:58
Moody's forecast: New ND government in Greece will be 'credit positive'
24/05 21:27
New public art exhibit flutters into Greektown of Chicago on June 2
24/05 20:36
European Commission: Greece should continue implementing recovery plan consistently
24/05 18:18
Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry
24/05 12:31
State Department: Our cooperation with Greece strengthens NATO and makes the region safer
24/05 09:14
ELSTAT: Hospitality enterprises' turnover grows 28.6% in Greece during Q1
24/05 00:22
23/05 22:19
Greek PM: Higher salaries a main focus of second-term New Democracy government
23/05 19:14
Greek Foreign Minister Dendias visiting Brussels and honored by AHEPA
23/05 19:06
Lamda Development announces deal to build first Mandarin Oriental hotel in Athens
23/05 16:09
Athens Acropolis Museum in 'Green Cultural Routes' action this weekend
23/05 13:24
DBRS: Sunday's vote could lead to credit improvements for Greece
22/05 21:32
Wall Street Journal: Greek voters rewarded ruling party's pro-business push
22/05 21:16
Traffic to be restricted on Alexandras avenue in downtown Athens as of May 23
22/05 20:23
OANA meeting on May 24 over sustainable power generation and summer youth activities
22/05 19:26
US State Department congratulates Greece on Sunday's electoral results
22/05 14:35
21/05 16:41
Media: Greece recovers hundreds of stolen artifacts including Alexander’s statue
21/05 15:51
Participation of Greek voters in today's elections at 31,52% so far
21/05 11:38
20/05 18:30
City of Athens presents Ecumenical Patriarch with its highest distinction
20/05 14:22
Polls open for Diaspora Greeks in historic first for the country
20/05 14:11
19/05 21:53
Greece's Interior Ministry releases practical information for voters
19/05 20:09
Zappeion press center open in central Athens as of 9:00 am Saturday
19/05 19:59
National e-Mobility Plan posted for public consultation in Greece to June 16
19/05 16:00
18/05 23:55
Greek Prime Minister: Thessaloniki Metro commitment met successfully
18/05 21:18
Safety Audit for Ground Operations reaches 15 years of advancing aviation safety
18/05 18:51
Athens Megaron Garden events this summer with Lena Platonos feature, opera screenings
18/05 11:42
International Museum Day with free entrance and special events in Greece
18/05 00:02
UNWTO identifies priorities for promoting rural tourim potential
17/05 22:03
International Air Transport Association: Bookings points to strong peak season travel
17/05 17:07
Greek Maritime Golf Event, the best golf tournament returns for its 9th year
17/05 15:17
Green light for the construction of Panathinaikos Stadium in Votanikos of Athens
17/05 14:43
Greek firms announce deal for developing renewable energy projects in Egypt
17/05 14:26
16/05 22:22
Greek FM: Greece and Turkey could create 'a burst of opportunities and growth'
16/05 22:15
The Global Greek Film Initiative holds Inaugural Benefit Event on May 4th
16/05 18:58
Greece requests new €1.72 billion disbursement from EU's Recovery Fund
16/05 16:48
Focus Africa Conference to boost aviation’s contribution to African Development
16/05 13:07
Athens Chamber of Commerce: New type of consumer is emerging
15/05 20:57
Greece launches research center for management of stranded marine animals
15/05 17:02
Prince Albert II of Monaco to visit the island of Elafonissos on May 29
15/05 16:09
Greek budget recorded 2.434 billion euros primary surplus in January-April
15/05 09:13
The President of the Hellenic Republic visiting Iceland on May 15-17
14/05 16:06
14/05 15:14
Greek Tourism Minister expects 2023 sector performance to top last year by 10-20%
13/05 22:01
UNWTO organizes executive training on tourism for rural growth in Middle East
12/05 22:22
Greek PM from Rhodes: South Aegean has had highest population growth in Greece
12/05 21:26
Dr. Jigang Bao clinches UNWTO Ulysses Prize for excellence in tourism scholarship
12/05 21:03
12/05 14:19
Fitch: Greek Stability Programme records strong improvement in public finances
12/05 11:09
Greek FM participating in the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers "Gymnich"
11/05 19:33
Rise in coronavirus infections and drop in flu cases in Greece
11/05 18:25
Diaspora Greeks abroad to cast their vote on Saturday, May 20
11/05 17:36
Greek PM champions vision for thriving cities: Trikala leading the way (video)
11/05 14:41
Ambassador to Athens: French and Greek defence industries must cooperate
11/05 00:05
Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady sets sail to Greek islands on maiden voyage
10/05 23:44
Applications for personal assistant program for the disabled now open in Greece
10/05 22:40
New app 'Cosmote Chronos' reanimates the Athens Acropolis before the viewer's eyes
10/05 22:13
UNWTO’S issues new assessment of Covid pandemic-related travel restrictions
10/05 19:30
Greece ranks 2nd globally after winning 2023 Blue Flag award for coasts and marinas
10/05 16:57
IATA: US passenger compensation rule will raise costs but not solve delays
10/05 14:53
Prices fell or stayed level for 95.69% of 'Household Basket' products in Greece
10/05 14:49
09/05 20:50
Mandatory training of police officers in animal rights begins in Greece on Wednesday
09/05 19:30
Consul General in New York organized event for Greek art collector
09/05 18:35
No tolls on Greek highways for private vehicles on election weekend May 20-22
09/05 18:25
09/05 14:17
Europe Day and European Year of Skills event organized in Athens on Tuesday
09/05 00:03
IATA: CNS Partnership Conference to focus on maintaining air cargo momentum
08/05 23:16
Greek and US military aircraft to fly over the Athens Acropolis on Tuesday
08/05 18:10
Greek National Tourism Organization wins award at 38th Seoul International Travel Fair
08/05 16:26
Greek State Minister signs cooperation agreement with French Transport Minister
08/05 14:18
International Defence Exhibition DEFEA 2023 opens in Athens on Tuesday noon
08/05 11:14
07/05 22:31
IATA statement on the end of COVID as an international public health emergency
07/05 21:38
Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons in Chicago organize 8th Annual Business Meeting
07/05 19:45
Elon Musk’s mother sees Greece’s rich potential for affluent tourists
07/05 16:34
Greek State Minister to receive French counterpart in Athens on Monday
07/05 15:41
Works unfolding anew at Greece's Elefsina shipyards to restore full capacity docking
06/05 23:49
Bank of Greece: Interest rate spread between deposits and loans up in March
05/05 22:09
US Ambassador to Athens visits American pavillion at Thessaloniki book fair
05/05 21:22
Bloomberg report: UK should follow Pope's example and return Parthenon Marbles
05/05 20:12
Leonidas AHEPA Chapter 77 organizes Annual Greek Night in New York
05/05 19:15
Exhibition showcases West Attica University student art work at Athens Airport
05/05 18:18
Greek poet Cavafy remembered through Onassis Foundation’s Archive of Desire
05/05 00:11
Lamda Development: Revenue from property in Ellinikon to surpass €500 million in 2023
04/05 21:09
Iconic Athens cinemas Astor and Ideal declared protected by environment ministry
04/05 20:20
Cat, dog owners now required to submit DNA sample of non-neutered pets in Greece
04/05 19:00
Restoration work approved for mausoleum on former royal estate of Tatoi near Athens
04/05 16:24
Ministers of Greece and Israel determined to further boost bilateral strategic relations
03/05 23:45
Greek Prime Minister: We want to radically reform the national health system
UNWTO identifies priorities for promoting rural tourim potential
Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry
Moody's forecast: New ND government in Greece will be 'credit positive'
Newton Shows and St. Paul Cathedral to jointly present Long Island Greek Festival
Reuters report: Greek bonds trading as though they already have investment grade
European Commission: Greece should continue implementing recovery plan consistently
Former Archbishop of America honored by National Kapodistrian University of Athens
New public art exhibit flutters into Greektown of Chicago on June 2
New ministers in caretaker government announced ahead of second elections in Greece
Greek professor wins WHO annual award for anti-smoking campaign efforts
Hike in coronavirus infections and flu cases with 52 deaths In Greece
Greek island of Rhodes seeking to attract tourists during winter also
UNWTO’S issues new assessment of Covid pandemic-related travel restrictions
Modern waste management unit to replace caldera dump in Santorini
Severe weather front to continue across Greece until Wednesday (video)
Greek Tourism Minister: Passenger location form to be abolished in Greece as of March 15
Greek capital of Athens among top-10 most beautiful cities for the second time
World Taste Atlas: Greek cuisine is the second best on the planet
Infrastructure works on Spinalonga island to assist visitors and protect the monument
Downtown Athens traffic restrictions imposed for Greek Independence Day parades
Greek Island of Milos presented by Louis Vuitton in new ad campaign
New app 'Cosmote Chronos' reanimates the Athens Acropolis before the viewer's eyes