Does anyone believe there will be any normal tourism this year?

[Dang]

Just curious to see what the general opinion about normal tourism happening again this year is with the forum members.
Please no crystal ball comments as I understand anything could happen, just want to know what you all think.

[Maisiemoo]

Europe is opening up and will admit tourists with vaccine passports. I wish North Cyprus would go along that route. My vaccine passport is now on my phone, I am chomping at the bit to get out there.

[wanderer]

Don't forget to get your printed version as well
You can get them in languages other that English
Dial 119

[Dalartokat]

Europe is opening up and will admit tourists with vaccine passports. I wish North Cyprus would go along that route. My vaccine passport is now on my phone, I am chomping at the bit to get out there.

Not as clear cut as you say......... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ ... vaccinated

[TAC]

flights booked 13th June now cancelled by airline because of amber Cyprus

[wanderer]

Which airline please

[forestpixie]

In a word no! This country is dying slowly and its very sad.

[Reyntj]

The Greeks will silly funny buggers at the border as they are desperate to keep any tourists on their side. Nobody will fly via turkey because it's full of Corona .Putin and erdogan have fallen out so the Russians aren't coming . Logistically it's going to be cumbersome to get here.

[forestpixie]

Apparently Russia -Turkey flights are due to start next month

[benjaminbutton]

Dalartokat, you are absolutely correct about EU having second thoughts about opening up to tourists from the UK because of the Indian variant situation. Have just cast my eye over articles in the Telegraph and I believe anyone booking a holiday anywhere is a bit foolhardy.

[waddo]

What is normal? If you mean tourism in 2010 then NO, or 2015 then NO, or 2020 then NO, however, if you mean 2021 then yes it will be normal for this year. Difficult question to answer as there is no normal for anywhere anymore and there never will be again. At the very least the vast majority of countries will require proof of vaccination before they will let you in in the future, similar to smallpox/yellow fever etc.

Not doomsaying in anyway here, just getting behind reality and trying to figure out if we will ever "Tour" again or will it just be added time to flights, added paperwork and even more expense in the future. I think the major things to watch out for in the coming years are the very tiny small prints in your tickets and insurance!!!

As an addition - I think that the backside cover applied by UK Gov will be another gamble to take, regardless of the advice from the FCO that it is safe to travel, that can change at a seconds notice and if already traveling - tough, its your choice.

[Walesforever]

Definitely not is my opinion. North Cyprus has always been cumbersome to travel to and from. It’s a destination that requires the tourist to travel through another country both arriving and departing. So in these very uncertain times I can see even the loyal visitors giving it a miss.
On saying that tourism around the world will most definitely be down by a lot.

[Hedge-fund]

Dalartokat, you are absolutely correct about EU having second thoughts about opening up to tourists from the UK because of the Indian variant situation. Have just cast my eye over articles in the Telegraph and I believe anyone booking a holiday anywhere is a bit foolhardy.

The eu has voted to open up to UK & US travellers from tomorrow.

The vaccines unlock international travel and the TRNC will follow suit next month.

[benjaminbutton]

Blimey, a day in the life of the press, how it changes!!!

[Tinlough 2]

Still trying to get through to the holiday insurance to see how 'Amber" may effect our plans for July. Anyone know about the "Cyprus Flight pass" for travel via Larnaca. Can you put a TRNC address on it and what the consequence, if any, may be?.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

They will have already lost a decent chunk of the season by the time it properly opens up.
A lot of people have taken a financial hit due to covid and expenditure such as holidays is always the first thing to be cut from a family budget.
Due to furlough I doubt companies will expect their employees to take 2 weeks holiday when they have barely seen them for 16 months.
People will be nervous of travelling abroad and getting stuck there if the situation changes when they are 4 days into a 2 week holiday.
Travel costs will be higher.
I'd be surprised if they get 10-15% of the tourists of a decent year tbh but I sincerely hope I'm wrong

[13roman58]

There are confirmed cases of the UK / south African and Indian variant in the south .

[Hedge-fund]

Still trying to get through to the holiday insurance to see how 'Amber" may effect our plans for July. Anyone know about the "Cyprus Flight pass" for travel via Larnaca. Can you put a TRNC address on it and what the consequence, if any, may be?.

It's safer to put a south address such as a hotel. A couple I know put a north address and there were no issues but as usual it depends on the mood of the police checking your papers.

[Hedge-fund]

There are confirmed cases of the UK / south African and Indian variant in the south .

There are over 350k known variants and not one escapes the vaccines.

These vaccines are the only way international travel can operate in the short term.

[Tinlough 2]

Apologies if stating the obvious, spoke to our travel insurance. They have no interest in the govt colour designations for travel. They use the FCO updates. Cyprus is currently "no go" on the FCO website but designated as amber. So, no insurance cover until FCO changes its advice.

[Hedge-fund]

Apologies if stating the obvious, spoke to our travel insurance. They have no interest in the govt colour designations for travel. They use the FCO updates. Cyprus is currently "no go" on the FCO website but designated as amber. So, no insurance cover until FCO changes its advice.

You will need more specialist insurance. There is a great demand & supply for this but it's more expensive.

If you have residency you will have basic health cover. Also make sure you have ehic/ghic up to date.

[PoshinDevon]

The Indian variant has been under close scrutiny in the U.K. which is good. Today’s news reporting that this variant whilst more transmissible it is not as highly transmissible as first thought. In addition the vaccines already being used are effective against the virus.

Earlier this week there was thought that the easing of all restrictions in the U.K. on 21st June may need to be delayed. However; after more days of the data being examined it is looking as if this date is still what is being aimed for.

Of course the rapid UK vaccine rollout is really helping. As Professor Van Tam said today, we cannot continue to live under rules and regulations indefinitely. There has to be a balance of risk and the U.K. is rapidly approaching this stage of the pandemic. The public will need to decide risk based on their own circumstances.

As far as travel is concerned whilst going to amber list countries is discouraged the government has said it will not legislate to stop people travelling. In addition as other countries demonstrate they have the virus under control they will be added to the green list. Some countries may require 2x vaccinations before allowing entry with no quarantine but the NHS app now has this information. If you log into the app it brings up all details of vaccinations, dates, vaccine type and QR code etc. Like it or not it is likely this information will be required before travel and entry is allowed to countries. The USA are allowing citizens with two vaccinations to move around with no restrictions.

There is optimism in the U.K. that things are improving.

[Loobyloo]

Pretty appalled to read that British Airways are accepting people onto the Heathrow Larnaca flight without a neg PCR as this is not apparently required by South Cyprus

[Dalartokat]

Pretty appalled to read that British Airways are accepting people onto the Heathrow Larnaca flight without a neg PCR as this is not apparently required by South Cyprus

It’s not about going out it’s about coming back on Amber which Cyprus is. They will have to quarantine for 10 days.
Also you don’t know what reasons they have given for going. It has to be a pretty good one.

Europe might wish the U.K. to start going on holiday there but they are Amber with exception of Portugal. Spain is not relaxing it Covid rules for another couple of weeks. Also Greece may go Green in a couple of weeks but at the moment some of the Greek islands you can go to. Same as Canary Islands may open up soon.

Turkey will remain Red. It’s punishment for allowing those from the Middle East to use them to get back to U.K. so they are all Red. Plus also Turkey is not doing very well with its vaccination programme.

As a by and by, woman last Monday needed to go to Spain because she had a “security issue” at her home in Spain which she owns. She did not have residency. She took to the airport (don’t know which one, either Heathrow or Gatwick) everything regarding documents that she owned the property. She went through all the way to departure, where she was told she could not board as she did not have good enough reason to travel and was escorted out of the airport.

She telephoned Stanstead airport and they told her she could travel but there was no flight availability.

She telephoned the Spanish Consulate and they told her she did not have sufficient reason to travel.

The “security issue” was her burglar alarm had failed and she needed to get out to her home in Spain. If you own a holiday home in Spain, and squatters break in without your knowledge, and stay for 48 hours undisturbed, then you have a big problem on your hands. ... They will get squatters' rights, and it could take you months, if not years, to have them evicted.

Spain has not lifted its Covid entry restrictions yet.

All could change again tomorrow, so much confusion.

According to Simon Calder travel expert she should not have been denied leaving the U.K. as anyone can leave and she should seek compensation. ??

[TAC]

Which airline please

Easy jet Gatwick to Paphos look like all of June now cancelled

[Maisiemoo]

Wizz Air has plenty of availability to Larnaca if you can get to Luton Airport and their flight times are pretty decent. The one a day flights start from 14th June and are twice weekly the first two weeks of June

[TAC]

Wizz Air has plenty of availability to Larnaca if you can get to Luton Airport and their flight times are pretty decent. The one a day flights start from 14th June and are twice weekly the first two weeks of June

I think also easy jet have 1 flight a day from Luton or BA from Heathrow cant find any good ones from Stanstead which would be my first choice, have no interest in flying Ryan air

[PoshinDevon]

The U.K. government has published the green, amber and red list. It advises that at present people should not travel to amber list countries.

However; the U.K. government will not legislate to prevent travel. It is therefore not illegal and no law is being broken.

Also as I have already posted it is not possible to continue to live under rules and regulations for ever. The U.K. is at the point where the vaccine rollout is really having an impact and as this continues the public will almost demand easing of restrictions. Also there is now a move from being told what to do to more of individuals taking ownership of the risks and making decisions based on their own personal circumstances and views.

So if countries allow entry, possibly with 2x vaccines or pre travel tests it will be a personal decision to travel. It will also mean accepting whatever quarantine rules may be in place on return to the U.K. plus of course the risk that the quarantine rules could change very quickly from no quarantine, to home quarantine or even hotel quarantine at great expense.

There is no doubt that the success of the U.K. vaccine rollout is fuelling optimism.

[Walesforever]

A 78yo Gent was prevented from boarding a Cardiff to Alicante flight yesterday because Spain is only open for essential travel.

[Trigger]

In my opinion, there will be no normal tourism for the foreseeable future. The reality is now that if you want to go on holiday then you need to follow the set criteria which is usually being fully vaccinated, negative pcr test, green list country. Add to this extra insurance policy, longer waits at airports…

Then when you get to your holiday destination, you need to understand it is not going to be the same experience as it say was in summer 19. Masks, one way systems, maximum capacities on venues, partial closures due to ministry regulations.

Some people will be willing to meet the set criteria, some won’t. It is an individual choice depending on circumstances I guess.

[Trigger]

Pretty appalled to read that British Airways are accepting people onto the Heathrow Larnaca flight without a neg PCR as this is not apparently required by South Cyprus

Turkey will remain Red. It’s punishment for allowing those from the Middle East to use them to get back to U.K. so they are all Red. Plus also Turkey is not doing very well with its vaccination programme.

Not sure I agree with this bit Dalarokat. I think Turkey are on the red list due to their numbers, not because it allowed people from the Middle East to use it as a stepping stone. It makes no difference. If a person has to two weeks quarantine in UK but can avoid it by doing them two weeks in a different country to avoid UK quarantine.

I will be honest, rather than paying £1750 for a travel lodge at Heathrow, I would much rather fly to say somewhere like Cyprus / Croatia / France, do my two weeks there, then move on to England and spend time doing home quarantine where I have a bit more freedom rather than being stuck in a hotel room.

[Butterflyaway]

Turkey, like some international countries that have “airport hubs” will be one of the last countries to move out of the “red”.

It’s because it’s a “hub”. Its being a hub that causes the issues. If Turkish Airlines was not so successful, it would be much less of an issue.

But of course, transiting passengers from India/Pakistan to UK etc did little to help.

[Trigger]

Turkey, like some international countries that have “airport hubs” will be one of the last countries to move out of the “red”.

It’s because it’s a “hub”. Its being a hub that causes the issues. If Turkish Airlines was not so successful, it would be much less of an issue.

But of course, transiting passengers from India/Pakistan to UK etc did little to help.

But surely that cannot be the case. At immigration they check where you have been for the last 2 weeks. If that includes a red list country, then hotel quarantine needs to be undertaken.

If say I was in a red list country a month ago, then do a few weeks in an amber / green country, then so long as I wasn’t in the red list country in the last two weeks, what is the issue?

All country’s can be hubs. For example, I often use cyprus is a hub.

[Hedge-fund]

A 78yo Gent was prevented from boarding a Cardiff to Alicante flight yesterday because Spain is only open for essential travel.

Indeed that is the case - and it changes on Monday to allow all in

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/ne ... 51324.html

[Butterflyaway]

Turkey, like some international countries that have “airport hubs” will be one of the last countries to move out of the “red”.

It’s because it’s a “hub”. Its being a hub that causes the issues. If Turkish Airlines was not so successful, it would be much less of an issue.

But of course, transiting passengers from India/Pakistan to UK etc did little to help.

But surely that cannot be the case. At immigration they check where you have been for the last 2 weeks. If that includes a red list country, then hotel quarantine needs to be undertaken.

If say I was in a red list country a month ago, then do a few weeks in an amber / green country, then so long as I wasn’t in the red list country in the last two weeks, what is the issue?

All country’s can be hubs. For example, I often use cyprus is a hub.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanc ... xt?rss=yes

“There were no quarantines required from foreign visitors”, says Pala, complicating the crisis. This lax attitude soon evolved into the so-called quarantine tourism. In May, 2021, The Times reported groups of tourists from Pakistan and other countries taking advantage of so-called tourism packages comprising 10 days in Istanbul in five-star hotels that remove the requirement of quarantines when passengers continue to travel on to the UK or other high-income countries after Turkey. The packages were priced at £1495, including airport transports and COVID-19 tests.

IST is the busiest airport in Europe.

[Trigger]

Turkey, like some international countries that have “airport hubs” will be one of the last countries to move out of the “red”.

It’s because it’s a “hub”. Its being a hub that causes the issues. If Turkish Airlines was not so successful, it would be much less of an issue.

But of course, transiting passengers from India/Pakistan to UK etc did little to help.

But surely that cannot be the case. At immigration they check where you have been for the last 2 weeks. If that includes a red list country, then hotel quarantine needs to be undertaken.

If say I was in a red list country a month ago, then do a few weeks in an amber / green country, then so long as I wasn’t in the red list country in the last two weeks, what is the issue?

All country’s can be hubs. For example, I often use cyprus is a hub.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanc ... xt?rss=yes

“There were no quarantines required from foreign visitors”, says Pala, complicating the crisis. This lax attitude soon evolved into the so-called quarantine tourism. In May, 2021, The Times reported groups of tourists from Pakistan and other countries taking advantage of so-called tourism packages comprising 10 days in Istanbul in five-star hotels that remove the requirement of quarantines when passengers continue to travel on to the UK or other high-income countries after Turkey. The packages were priced at £1495, including airport transports and COVID-19 tests.

IST is the busiest airport in Europe.

If a country is not deemed to have appropriate restrictions regarding covid then fair enough.

[benjaminbutton]

Not sure I understand the "then fair enough" remark.

[gates]

Why don’t the TRNC just stick there fingers up and fly directly here so no stop overs They could use COVID-19 for safety reasons. Also the crap the Greeks are kicking up to. Then the tourists will pour in . I know of 10 families waiting . That about 80 people

[PoshinDevon]

Why don’t the TRNC just stick there fingers up and fly directly here so no stop overs They could use COVID-19 for safety reasons. Also the crap the Greeks are kicking up to. Then the tourists will pour in . I know of 10 families waiting . That about 80 people

If only it were that easy.

I don’t know the international laws or regulations but the TRNC has no airline of its own and airlines transporting passengers are Turkey registered. Therefore to my simple mind if they ignored international law and flew in direct, the airlines would be denied landing in many countries and therefore lose passengers, revenue etc.

Yes on the odd occasion over the years we read that flights from U.K. due to land in Turkey did not do so, but this isn’t a normal occurrence. Others have said if the aircraft descend to a height as if landing and then climb again that counts as a landing...... however the cost in fuel is probably a factor in why this doesn’t happen.

Probably a lot more to this but expecting current airlines flying to Ercan to fly direct will not happen.

[Trigger]

[quote=benjaminbutton post_id=274565 time=1621594480 user_id=18655]
Not sure I understand the "then fair enough" remark.
[/quote]

It means that I agree with countries being placed on the red list because they do not have adequate covid controls in place.

I guess my original point was that the poster said that Turkey had been placed on the red list as punishment for allowing people from the Middle East in. Some of the countries in the Middle East have had tougher restrictions than England for a long time now. We have had our borders closed over a year before England. We were wearing face masks long before boris was thinking about making people in public wear them.

So what I don’t get is that comment.

[Butterflyaway]

I don’t know why that the airlines that fly to Ercan don’t organise a flight that only “touches down” in Turkey?

No one, including crew get on or off.

I appreciate the flight will cost more, but why not try one flight from U.K. to TRNC once per week and see the demand.

I’m sure an extra £50 per seat would be well worth it.

Plus the U.K. should not insist upon hotel quarantine when passengers arrive in the U.K. as, as far as transit legalities are concerned, effectively, it never really did anything in Turkey.

If it was successful, it could make a big difference to the TRNC tourism.

[benjaminbutton]

In days gone by, that's exactly what we did, stay on board at Istanbul. Not sure if it was Oner Air? On some flights, we actually had to change seats though. and passport control personnel came on board.