Ataoğlu promotes broader North Cyprus tourism offer in Istanbul

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu attended the opening of the Istanbul Tourism Fair, where organisations and businesses from North Cyprus were also represented, Halkın Sesi reported, citing the ministry.

Addressing the fair, Ataoğlu said North Cyprus should be promoted beyond gaming tourism. He pointed to cultural, historical, gastronomic, nature, sea, health and sports travel as areas with potential.

Congress tourism was among the priorities he identified. Ataoğlu said the country’s hotels, meeting rooms and congress facilities created opportunities to develop this segment.

He said the Ada Cyprus campaign was continuing to promote North Cyprus’s culture, history, cuisine and natural attractions in Türkiye and European markets. Ataoğlu also said incentives for flights aimed at European markets were being used to improve accessibility.

Referring to the 2025–2034 North Cyprus Tourism Master Plan, he said its aim was a more sustainable, higher-quality and diversified tourism structure with greater added value.

Ataoğlu described the Istanbul fair as a venue for developing business partnerships and business-to-business meetings between Türkiye and North Cyprus.