Greek Cypriot Press Claims Turkey’s “Island Cyprus” Campaign Aims to Steal Tourists and Legitimize Occupation

The report claimed that Turkey is attempting to “steal” tourists from the Republic of Cyprus by promoting a new tourism identity for the TRNC under the slogan “Island Cyprus - Ada Kıbrıs.”

Politis noted that the “Island Cyprus” campaign resembles Turkey’s earlier “TurkAegean” campaign designed to promote Turkey’s Aegean coast, which was banned following Greece’s objections.

The newspaper reported that the promotion of “Island Cyprus,” created to highlight TRNC tourism, was launched in Istanbul, showcasing Northern Cyprus’s cuisine and natural beauty as part of the campaign.

According to the article, Konstantinos Filis, Lecturer at the American College of Greece and Director of the Institute of International Relations, told the newspaper that “Turkey is doing everything to legitimize the fake state and elevate it as an equal counterpart to the Republic of Cyprus.”

Filis added that both communities should be prepared for initiatives like “Island Cyprus” that aim to equate the two sides.

Andreas Loverdos, former Secretary-General of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also told the paper that the tourism campaign attempting to equate the fake state with the entire island is unacceptable. He stressed that “they must not allow the distortion of historical realities or the legalization of occupation and invasion.”