Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to clarify the position of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot professionals in the hotel and tourism industry on the island of Cyprus with regards to their expectations regarding the benefit of a political solution to the Cyprus problem on the island. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses data from two surveys in both political entities of the island. One survey is a survey of hotel owners, managers of hotels and travel agencies in both political entities on the island. The other is semi-structured interview with leading professionals in the hospitality and tourism industry in both political entities. Findings The surveys indicate that there is an expectation from professionals in both entities that tourism will benefit all following a solution, with large increases in incoming tourism to Cyprus. Practical implications The findings indicate that there are substantial expectations that there will be benefits for all following a solution to the Cyprus problem. Originality/value This is a first future-oriented paper regarding the expectations of major players in the hotel and tourism industry in both political entities on the island.
Highlights
Cyprus is a politically divided island that consists of two major political entities, the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” and the Republic of Cyprus
We look into the data from a survey of tourism professionals to deal with the political issue of cooperation between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, albeit in something that outsiders would not necessarily view as political, tourism
We look into the data that illustrate how tourism professionals envision current and future cooperation
Summary
Cyprus is a politically divided island that consists of two major political entities, the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” and the Republic of Cyprus. The “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” is recognized only by Turkey and is populated by Turkish Cypriots and settlers from mainland Turkey; the Republic of Cyprus is a member country of the European Union and is populated mainly by Greek Cypriots. The Republic of Cyprus came into being in 1960 It had been under the Ottomans for centuries until 1878, when the British took over administration with Ottoman approval. The island was annexed outright by the British during First World War. Following a complex armed struggle for unity with Greece and full independence as alternative aims, further complicated by differences between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, the British eventually withdrew leaving the island in the control of the newly independent Republic of Cyprus.
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